Kent and Dore enjoying a moment in Ihlara Valley

  Ron and young friend Bayram
Our Cappadocia guide Mustafa with Ron
Relaxation a la Hilary
Devouring a perfectly ripe persimmons in Sirince

Hilary working the Chinese sprouting bowl

Brenda cave concert dancing
  Sandra styling at Okay's workshop
  Tom at one with the  queeka at Okay's workshop
Bryan lounging at our favorite carpet shop
Nancy at Ihlara Valley floating restaurant
Home
Turkey Music Tour
Tangents Parties
Calendar
Playlist (KALW)
Playlist (Mondomix)
Current CD's
News of the Day
Feedback
Editorial
About Dore
Contact

Up, Up and Away in Cappadocia

Ron Scudder, Livermore

Hi, Dore!

I wanted to tell you and any others how much I not only enjoyed the Tangents Turkey tour, but how special it was. I have always been a very independent traveler, and like to stay in one place for about a week, or at least three or four days if I travel to a small town, so that I can begin to feel the pulse of a region. Other than the Tangents tour I have only taken one other group tour, and for me it was a disaster - I rebelled against the early rising, jump on the tour bus, zoom-around feeling, even though compared to many tours the one I took was relatively relaxed with free time. Your tour was the closest thing to traveling independently that I could imagine, but it had the HUGE advantage of your connections with the musicians throughout Turkey.

There is absolutely no way that anyone traveling independently or in any other group could have experienced the range and quality of the musicians that we encountered, not to mention the intimacy of private concerts, dinners, and face-to-face meetings with the musicians and others in the music world, such as the instrument makers, publishers, clubs, etc. Your assembling of musicians who had never played together before was very special, not only for us but apparently for the musicians themselves. I had never paid much attention to Turkish music before (read any attention at all) but was a jazz fan, and was totally blown away by the range and quality of music that we encountered. After buying 26 CDs during the trip, I found that I liked every one of them, and have played each over and over. Unbelievable!

Not only was the music very special, but the guided tours were much higher quality than the average. The variety of places, especially Cappadocia and Ephesus that we saw, made the trip have double value - during the day we could act as independent tourists or join the great group activities, and at night, when most tourists are wondering what to do, we had all of the concerts.

So if anyone wants to travel with the flexibility of having ample time to explore by yourself but with the benefit of a real expert to provide very special encounters, the Tangents Turkey tour is terrific!

Hilary Winslow, Bolinas

Tangents to Turkey trip in October 2009 exceeded all my expectations.  Not only did we have a great crew with lots of lively discussions and laughter, incredible sights and wonderful accommodations/food, but also we had amazing music and made personal connections with many great musicians on this trip.  Adding the fascination of Istanbul and sites outside that amazing city, it was almost like two trips in one.  If you are thinking of going to Turkey, this is a great way to do it! And if you are not thinking of going to Turkey, it's time to reconsider!

Donald Fortescue, Oakland

Don has a descriptive Tangents Turkey Music Tour blog with photos at
http://dfortescue.wordpress.com/2009/10/19/istanbul-not-constantinople/

Sandra Kelch, Oakland

"The trip was so much more than just a music tour. Our days were filled with beautiful sights, great food, wonderful conversation, and exciting music. Istanbul was the perfect place to see where Eastern cultures meet Western. I loved wandering in the markets during the day, knowing we had great music to relax to in the evenings. It was a great experience and I would do it again!"

Check out Sandra’s blog with photos at
http://farfly.wordpress.com/2009/10/18/we-love-istanbul/

Bryan  Tully, Barnes England

The trip we have been on and fashioned so expertly by Dore will be one I shall always treasure.  My appreciation of Turkish music has extended manyfold, from I must admit a tiny original base.  The CDs remind me most days of those wonderful times and one or two go beyond that.  As much as I didn't know that the Turks loved pasta so much and even made it for the Italian market, so I find that one of my CDs, "Tangolar" by Ibrahim Ozgur, (Kalan) is a repository of Turkish made and loved Tango music which went through a flourishing period before the second world war.  As is so often the case, it was minority musicians (in this case Jewish and Armenian) who exploited this rather niche area of creativity.  Ibrahim's songs are of the soft bluesy nostalgic type of Tango singing and really quite haunting.  Such serendipity.  I had such lovely conversations with everyone and none of them really finished.  So, if anyone travels to or thru UK and finding themselves at a loose end in London I hope they will feel free to drop in /stay over in our lovely little village of Barnes (duck pond and all) within the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.

Just to add finally I particularly appreciated how Dore would just have to hear of some special interest by someone, but he would put himself out to see if that interest could be met.  Thank you Dore for introducing me to Tom Brosnahan.  His comments were very enlightening and also the few discrete words from his quiet ("Actually I'm an Atheist") friend.  At times Dore seemed to run himself into the ground for us to make sure we got maximum out of everything.

 Sure if I go on, he's going to need a bigger size orange baseball hat.


Nancy Torrey, Bolinas

Needless to say, we had a wonderful 3 weeks in Turkey, start to finish.  The T-10 group was great - it felt like a long dinner party conversation at times, such an indulgence.  The music gave us a window on the country and culture that we wouldn't have had otherwise.  The Turkish people everywhere were so welcoming and kind and generous - we really want to go back as soon as time and money permits.  Thanks for getting us there!

Kent Khtikian, Bolinas

I am the type of traveler who likes to not make reservations, be free from structure and by that means (hopefully) find a little magic.  Dore finds that magic. And it is consistently done, evening after evening, with musical delight followed by musical delight that you could not possibly find on your own.   ...Go.

Dore Stein, San Francisco

Reason number 3,944 to come to Turkey: Love those persimmons!

Tom and Brenda testimonials coming soon






Additional Testimonials
2008 Tour
2007 Tour
2006 Tour
2005 Tour
Tangents Turkey Music Tour, 2009 Testimonials
Bryan by the Aegean
Photos courtesy of Ron Scudder and Don Fortescue 
site design: soulless
copyright: Tangents 2010