Description
Van Manakas – Love Songs – Vinyl Record
Love Songs by Van Manakas is an album that beautifully showcases his skills as a guitarist, blending elements of jazz, blues, and folk. Known for his expressive playing and intricate guitar work, Manakas brings a tender and emotive approach to this collection of tracks, each dedicated to exploring different facets of love.
Van Manakas studied with Pat Metheny at the Berklee College of Music, earning his B.A. in composition. He made his recording debut as a sideman with Jack Tottle on Backroad Mandolin. At 21, he was hired by Gil Evans, with whom he toured the U.S. and Europe. He released his debut album, Physical, in 1980, followed by Love Songs in 1985. In the mid-’80s, he entered into a partnership with pianist Scott Cossu that resulted in five albums before Cossu was disabled by a car accident. While playing on sessions and soundtracks, Manakas continued to make solo albums, including Letters From the Equator (1992), Mountain (1995), and American Guitar (2000).
Released in the context of his broader musical career, which often highlights his versatility across genres, Love Songs features a series of instrumental pieces, each telling a story or conveying emotions without the need for words. Manakas’s ability to evoke feelings through his guitar makes this album a heartfelt and deeply personal work.
Listeners can expect smooth, melodic guitar lines that weave through each composition, supported by subtle arrangements that might include soft percussion, bass, and possibly other stringed instruments. This album would appeal to fans of acoustic guitar music and those who appreciate nuanced, emotive musical expressions. ‘Love Songs’ is an ideal listen for quiet evenings, reflective moments, or romantic settings, showcasing Van Manakas’s talent for crafting music that touches the heart.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic seal
Rounder Records 3063
Track Listing
Embers Of Emotion
A Lion In Love
Jovana
Magnetic North
Ba Safah
Refugee
Open ‘E’
