El Samuraichi      Guitarist Chris Dunnett combines a wide range of styles such as traditional Flamenco, Latin, Middle Eastern, Gypsy, and Neo-classical music on his CD "El Samuraichi." More than just a guitar-oriented release, Chris Dunnett creates a performance that is song-based, musically captivating, and has something for every listener. Sit back, listen, and be taken to far away lands with "El Samuraichi." Click here to order El Samuraichi online. To get it locally, click here for locations near you. Below are some excerpts from the CD. Click on the title to hear the MP3 The track listing is as follows:     El Samuraichi     Duende     Almos Air     Gratzi Peppino     Yo Se Que Yo Puedo     Samson & Dilemma     Maleguena     Gypsy Dance     Festiva Latina     Seppuku I have always wondered, particularly with instrumentals, how people came up with the titles and inspiration for them. For those who are interested, I have decided to give some insight as to the origins of the songs on "El Samuraichi." Chris *   "El Samuraichi" --- When I first decided to do a Flamenco CD I already had some parts of this song written. Once I coined the term "El Samuraichi" which is a combination of "El Mariachi" inspired by the movie of the same name, and "Samurai" as I am a big fan of the Martial Arts. I decided to make this the title track for the CD because of its descriptiveness. I've always been a big fan of the hero's in action films and in "El Mariachi (as well as it's sequel "Desperado") the hero carries a guitar and a case full of weapons...how much cooler can that be? This song is what I describe as "Western Flamenco." *   "Duende" --- What I feel is the most "traditional" sounding song on the album. The word Duende is often used to describe a transitory moment of inspiration such as that which you might find in flamenco performances when everything "clicks." I feel the concept is best described by Adrian Paul in my song. *   "Almos Air" --- "Almos" sounds like it would be a nice town in South Western Texas, New Mexico, or Mexico for that matter. The "Air" part of the title makes one think of the "peaceful attitude" that might exist in such a place. Although this sounds nice and quaint, the fact of the matter is this title keeps in the spirit of typical Chris Dunnett humor. It describes more how I often feel in life…like I'm not quite…but "almos air" *   "Gratzi Peppino" --- This song is a tribute to probably my favorite of finger-style guitarists, Peppino D'Agostino. I hold him responsible for turning me on to and showing me the value in "alternate tunings" for the guitar. This was also one of the first songs I wrote using an alternate tuning (open D in case you were wondering) and stylistically, it covers a small range of influence that cross into the type of music that he plays which he refers to as "Minestrone Music." *   "Yo Se Que Yo Puedo" --- Translated means "I Know I Can Make It." Actually, more correctly would be I know I can do it, I know I can accomplish whatever I truly set my sights on. Basically, this was a hard rock song that I wrote in a former band of mine called Character. When the "unplugged" thing was really big, we decided to work up an acoustic set of some of our songs and this songs always had the same type of chord progression and scale (Harmonic Minor in case you were wondering) as most Flamenco music but also the rhythmic nature of the song lent itself to the Flamenco style very well. So, I decided to redo it this way. *   "Samson & Dilemma" --- Once again, obviously a play on words from "Samson and Delilah." However, there is more to this story. I was waiting on percussionist Mark Samson who played on some tracks on the CD (ironically, not this one) and he was very late. We were to meet at a music store and while I was waiting on him, I picked up a guitar and low and behold, out came this song. So, it seemed only appropriate under the circumstance by which the song was conceived that it be titled such. *   "Maleguena" --- This is the only piece on "El Samuraichi" that I did not write. There was a music store I used to hang out in as a kid and a peer of mine would be there quite often also. His dad played classical guitar and I would always hear this other kid playing the main theme from Maleguena. I always thought it was SO cool. I must have asked him a million times what it is called…Mala-what? I could never remember it...but of course I knew every lyric to every KISS song. I have always loved this piece and wanted to put at least one traditional Flamenco song on my CD. Maleguena has been done many times by many guitarists. I hope my take on it retains some of the traditional aspects as well as bring a new version to light. *   "Gypsy Dance" --- If you have not yet heard this piece, once you do you will know why it is called "Gypsy Dance." I've always felt that good music should conjure up images in ones mind. I hope this song takes you away to a Gypsy campfire with people dancing around the flames. *   "Festiva Latina" --- Another "festive" song only more in a Latin vein, hence the name. I picture many happy people gathered together in the streets for a celebration of some sort. *   "Seppuku" --- All the Latinas and Spaniards are going "huh?" Actually, this is a Japanese term. It refers to the ritualistic suicide that the Samurai would commit if they felt they have dishonored their master. Musically, it is a variation of the second section of the title track…sort of a "reprise" version. I felt this would bring the CD to close and tie ends together well. To hear a sample click on any of the titles. You will need an MP3 Player to hear them. To hear what others say about Chris Dunnett, click here. For the latest news on Chris Dunnett click here. To order Chris Dunnett's music, click here.