A few reviews (in original language)
Une Autre Chanson(B) by Philippe Dape
" Philip et Guido forment un tandem hautement thérapeutique qui apporte une harmonie et une unité que personnellement il y a longtemps que je n'ai pas découvertes, sauf justement avec des Pierre Bensusan, Soïg Siberil et Jamie MacMenemy ou Jean-Paul Albert"
Dirty Linen(USA)by Steve Winick
I'll begin with my favorite of this little Flemish scene, the unassuming but very impressive Webbesnaren [Wild Boar/ALEA WBM 21012 (1999)] by the duo of Guido Piccard and Philip Masure. Both musicians play mostly stringed instruments: Piccard specializes in the hommels, a zither that sounds similar to a mountain dulcimer or a French épinette, while Masure is above all a guitarist. But between them, they also play cister, mandola, mandolin, bouzouki, whistles, and percussion, and both sing as well, which ensures a fresh sound on every track. Their mostly tune-oriented set includes lively dances, as well as serene airs perfectly suited to their crystalline instrumental sounds. They also treat us to three songs in Flemish, two traditional folksongs and one original ballad based on a postcard written by a soldier during World War I. Lyrics are included in Flemish, and the general gist is translated into English and French. A few pieces from France, Scotland, and elsewhere spice up this Flemish soup, but otherwise this is sweet, beautiful Belgian music!
Folkworld(D) Michael Moll
Another beautiful album from the Belgian label with the dice in the CD box. Guido Piccard plays the hommel which is the Belgian version of the dulcimer, as well as cister, mandola, mandoline and bouzouki, while Philip Masure is not only a very nice singer, but also knows to play guitars, bouzouki, tin and low whistle and percussion. Both are well known on the Flemish scene for their lovely folk music compositions. "Webbesnaren" sees this duo playing mainly self composed music with a trad Flemish flavour, joined by a few traditionals and one composition of Scottish harpist Wendy Stewart. The music sounds always relaxed and beautiful, having a lot of atmosphere. The two songs are special as well; the one is a traditional Flemish song, the other a strong anti war song written by Guido Piccard, inspired by an old postcard of the First World War. Both songs are presented by Philip Masure in an intimate sympathetic way. Another convincing CD of Flemish Folk, a delight for the listener.
De Standaard(B) VPBl
Virtuoos
Guido Piccard en Philip Masure zijn twee virtuozen op een heel arsenaal
snaarinstrumenten. Piccard bespeelt de hommel (heel opvallend), mandola, mandoline
en bouzouki, terwijl Masure behalve gitaren en bouzouki ook fluiten en percussie
aankan. Samen brengen ze op Webbesnaren een mooie selectie uit eigen composities
en wat traditioneel werk. Sommige stukken volgen traditionele dansritmen (wals,
bourrée...), andere scheppen vrijer sfeer. En dan zijn er enkele liederen zoals
"Kamiel" en "Vals bedrog": ze worden gezongen door Masure, en baden in een archaïsch
Vlaams van lang geleden. Ik luister graag naar deze plaat, zonder haar nu per
se groots te vinden: de kleuren zijn beperkt, maar het is mooi hoe de twee
muzikanten in elkaar haken en samen vrijheid vinden. De impressionistische
schetsen van katjes, sneeuw en Ardense heuvels smaken naar meer.