Ansgar Dälken

Ansgar Dälken - acoustic nylon string guitar (solo without overdubs)

Recorded, mixed and mastered 2010 by
Jörg Surrey at surrealis sounds @ Teldex Studio Berlin

Produced by Ansgar Dälken

20 compositions by one of the most important (jazz) composers of the 20th century, arranged for solo guitar.

All Ways Know is on "Acoustic Guitar" magazine's list of The Best Acoustic Albums of 2010

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"Childhood experiences are formative. Playfully the young Ansgar Dälken experiences the fascination of sound. He has long since become an adult and mature musician when he rediscovers this almost „lost feeling“: in the shape of the music of Thelonius Monk (1917-1982).

But it needs a good deal of enthusiasm and determination, musicianship and devoted love for music, to approach the vast work of one of modern jazz' most important composers - complex compositions where often the familiar sounds feel exotic and the exotic sounds feel familiar.

The German master guitarist arranged not less than 70 compositions for solo guitar (in DADGAD) over the last few years. With great sensitiveness Dälken - who had developed his own voice under the influence of Pierre Bensusan, Alex de Grassi and Ralph Towner - shows up as an outstanding interpreter. He successfully perceives and reflects the essence of Monk's originals with deeply felt playing, while filling it with new life at the same time. With his mature and eloquent musical language Dälken - on his nylon string guitar - presents classics like 'Ruby, My Dear', 'Evidence' or 'Monk's Mood' in a contemporary, classy way. 'All Ways Know' is a beautiful album which makes the musical cosmos of this great jazz pianist audible on nothing but six strings for the first time."

Acoustic Music Newsletter

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Comments by colleagues:

Great job! You sound beautiful on it, the arrangements, solos, details are all impressive. Enjoyed it immensely. 

Steve Cardenas (Co author of the “Thelonious Monk Fakebook”)

This is art in the best sense of the word. Fabulously played, sounds fantastic - a delight. . . . At the end I was a convinced Monk fan (and fan of yourself anyway :-) and it's hard to imagine that these tunes were not originally written for guitar.
You created a timeless masterpiece. Hats off!!

Ian Melrose

Of course these are some of the greatest pieces of music ever written, but it's not easy to capture Monk's vibe on solo guitar, and Ansgar manages to do it.

Teja Gerken

The arrangements are so complex and show the dedication and hard work behind it, although the technical execution on the guitar reveals only a flawless and joyful performance. Wonderful work.

Homesick Mac

Beautiful work, Ansgar. There are not so many guitarists who dare to play Monk, and much less who make it sound great. I wish you all the sucess you deserve for your new album.

Bob Bonastre

Ansgar Dälken took on a heavy load. But he succeeded masterly. This recording adds a lot of new interesting arrangements. This music expresses the possibility playing the complex finger style jazz on acoustic guitar.

Theo Scharpach