The songs on Trilogy are based on a variety of guitar styles and were recorded in collaboration with many different musicians. These performers spanned from Nashville recording stars to a few of Europe's hottest artists, such as Daniele Bazzani from Italy, Thomas Kleemaier from Germany, and Michael Roach in England. In addition, the line-up included a lot of the best homegrown talent on the Croatian music scene. For example, Croatian jazz diva, Meri Troselj, sings the majority of the songs on Trilogy.
Influences
Although Hal cannot say that any one artist has directly influenced his music, here is a short-list of some musicians whose work he holds in high regard:
Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Louis Armstrong, Pat Metheny; John Coltrane, John Scofield, Bill Frisell, Led Zeppelin; Deep Purple, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Clash; Eric Clapton, Paco de Lucia, Francisco Tarrega, J.S.Bach; C.Debussy, R. Wagner, P. I. Tchaikovsky, L. V. Beethoven, and G. Verdi
Sounds Like
A slick mix of guitar styles ranging from blues, bluegrass and classical, to jazz fusion and 'fingerstyle' acoustic.
Hal is wonderful musician and I admire his dedication to the guitar. I wish him success in his career and would like to see him take his music to the rest of the world.
Thomas Kleemaier:
At the moment you think everything that can be said with an acoustic guitar has already been said, there will be a voice from somewhere in the world, and may it be Croatia, that suddenly tells you new stories. It happened to me when the guitar was in the hands of a guy named Hal, a classically trained player from Croatia. Hal plays in the best American fingerstyle tradition, but there always is this little something, this little extra, that makes his playing unique. Hey people, listen to him, this guy is great!
Woody Mann:
It is remarkable how Hal is able to play so many different styles ofguitar music in such a brilliant manner. His technique and ideas show a musician with extraordinary talent. After hearing him play, it is clear that he is an important musician with much to offer the musical community in Croatia. I think he has the potential to be a major figure in the world of guitar.
Michael Messer:
If there is any justice in the world, Hal’s music will reach out from Croatia and touch people in every continent.
2006 was an outstanding year in Hal's musical career. The year was highlighted by the release of his fourth CD entitled, TRILOGY. The entire TRILOGY project was the end result of many years of hard work and dedication.
Hal is proud to announce that the success of his previous three CD's earned him the opportunity to travel to Nashville, TN to record the bulk of TRILOGY. Other tracks on the album were recorded in Rome, England, Germany and Zagreb. While in Music City USA, he had the honor to work with several top-notch studio musicians during the recording process. Being from the distant country of Croatia, this was no small feat.
As you will hear on the song above called, 'Tonight We Dance,' Hal's masterful guitar work was complimented by the lovely singing voice of Nashville's Suzy Bogguss. Other Nashville musicians who contributed on TRILOGY were Charlie Chadwick (producer, bass), John Jorgenson (guitar), Stuart Duncan (violin); J.D. Blair (drums), Jim Horn (sax), and Jamie Hartford. In addition, many other Nashville stars and European artists helped out on the project. Hal would like to use this forum to thank each of them for their time, expertise, and professionalism. And, of course, Laurie McClain will never be forgotten for her support.
It should be noted that TRILOGY is a 3 CD recording that is comprised of 36 songs. Each disc is defined by a distinct genre. The first disc is pop-orientated with strong blues, rock, and country influences. Most of the songs are sung in English. A few are in Croatian. The second disc is made up of 'fingerstyle' acoustic compositions, which is where Hal's guitar playing truly shines. The third disc is a collection of jazz fusion recordings done in his personal style. Hal openly states that this particular disc was one of the most powerful recordings he has ever made.
Hal is elated to have the opportunity to showcase his guitar magic to an international audience. Croatia is a small country, but has an enormous musical history. It is with high hopes that people around the world will enjoy the music that he worked so hard to create. Be sure to check out the video for the song 'Speak to Me,' which was awarded Croatia's Porin Award for best song in 2005.
What you need to fully appreciate 'Trilogy' is an open mind toward new ideas andthe ability to embrace something different, but interesting (i.e., all the factors inherent to appreciating true art.)
Irene VanDijk
This is a “must have” album for all lovers of guitar music
Alan Smith
This triple album will impress you at your first listening. It is without banalities and very carefully arranged. 'Trilogy' is the purest example of where virtuosity serves the music and not vice versa.
Giorgio Fairsoni
Hal is a very special musician, so is his album 'Trilogy'. A unique piece of Croatian discography.
Davor Hrvoj
A triple album hosting a bunch of legendary, foreign stars. Master of the "fingerpicking" style, Hal will not disappoint his fans.
Bok Hal :) Odlican nastup u Nocnoj Mori Zeljka Malnara!!! Ostala sam PAF kad sam vidjela da si gost!!! Totalno osvjezenje emisije :) Vidjela sam te na koncertu od Kotzena neki dan, kako ti je bilo? Ja sam jos pod dojmovima :)
bonjour hal, merci de m'inviter dans ton univers..j'ai trés apprécié ton concert a Douai..toute mes félicitations...bonne route et succés planétaire...a bientôt
thanks a lot for add !! you're great and your musis very generous ! you made a fabulous show at Douai this week ! and really nice jam with Walter Lupi !! carry on !
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