Luke Trimble & Matthew Keating "Lines, Color & Form," 2012
This is an exquisite album that rewards repeated listening. Guitarist Luke Trimble studied under modernist American
composer and guitarist Bryan Johanson and brilliantly executes this homage to his mentor's compositions and
arrangements. The CD begins with the only guitar solo, "Spring, Op. 1"(1977), Bryan Johanson's first completed
work, where Trimble's command of color, dynamics, and articulation and his lush warm tone bring out the languid
melody lines, intricate counterpoint, and complex rhythmic passages. Johanson's transcription for cello and guitar
of three sonatas by Scarlatti's follows, where, on "Sonata for Keyboard in A Major," Mathew Keating's meltingly
beautiful tone is most in evidence. The balance of the CD is devoted to Johanson's compositions. "Berceuse," is a
gorgeous, somber, dreamlike piece with guitar lines intertwining with those of the cello, while the exciting "A
Simple Serenade for Cello & Guitar" is seven movements of dramatic music that manages to be both complex and
accessible. Throughout there is a lively play of contrasting textures, with the guitar's brightness contrasting
with the mellower timbres of the cello. This brilliant CD highlights the breathtaking musicality and versatility
of both musicians as well as the beauty and power of Johanson's compositions.
©
Celine Keating
Glass House "Long Way Down," 2013
We love it when musicians who are sometimes too closely associated with name artists – in Glass House's situation
that would be the legendary, ten-time Grammy Award winning vocalist and conductor Bobby McFerrin – get that rare
chance to do their own thing on their own terms. Such is the case for singer David Worm, who is a founding member
of McFerrin's phenomenal Voicestra, and his partner, guitar maestro Mark Vickness, who dazzles on his 8 string
guitar/bass - on their third collaborative effort entitled "Long Way Down." Among the like-minded players on this
set who create an intoxicating brew of world, soul, folk, blues and jazz include The Turtle Island String Quartet,
tabla virtuoso Tu Burhoe, and various members of ensembles led by Charlie Hunter, Frank Zappa, Stanley Clarke,
Bill Withers, and Prince to namedrop a few. Rather than let their formidable chops do all the heavy lifting, Glass
House and their funky friends surrender to the groove – every track percolates with elastic rhythms abetted by
melodies and harmonies. Glass House's brilliant rendition of Robbie Robertson's "Broken Arrow" is worth the price
of admission alone – however you'll want to hear every track on "Long Way Down."
©
Tom Semioli
JB Davies "First Songs," 2009
J.B. Davies, a mainstay of the Michigan Fingerstyle Guitar Society, has produced a pleasant disc of solo steel-string
guitar, comprised mainly of originals. His notes on the tunes add to one's listening enjoyment, as with "Alec's Song",
written while watching his young son take his first steps. "Big Top" emerged from memories of carnivals Davies
attended as a child. The set closes with soulful renditions of two instrumentals by Billy McLaughlin and Isato
Nakagawa, both of whom Davies acknowledges as influences. Listen for more music from J.B. Davies - he's full of
promise.
©
Patrick Ragains
Mike Clifford "Stay in Motion," 2013
He's a singer-songwriter who touches on a variety of styles, from pop to country, with a calm understated voice,
solid songs and a great band. He excels at ballads like "Sometimes Love Don't Get Around," sung with a beautiful
piano, to "Simple Things," played with a fingerpicked guitar and featuring lyrics with rich images. "Tired Age"
leans toward country, with a full band of twangy guitar, fiddle and more. At the end, it breaks down to a solo
gospel piano, a perfect ending. "What I'm Talking ‘bout" features a rollicking roadhouse feel, with bursts of
electric guitar, driving drums and a slightly distorted vocal. The issue with some of these bigger songs is that
the arrangement can overpower his guitar and voice. I listened to one of the songs, "Ballerina," on his website
in a video with a simple set-up of voice and two guitars, and liked it much better. Overall, though, it's a good
recording, the kind you'd buy after hearing him perform.
©
Jamie Anderson
Steve O'Connor "Roll the Dice," 2008
Depending on your age or generational bent, whenever Liverpool's contribution to pop music is mentioned thoughts
immediately abound to Merseyside's British Invasion icons The Beatles, along with such notable ensembles as Echo &
the Bunnymen, and (gulp) Flock of Seagulls. However as the great Beatnik poet Alan Ginsberg reminded us, the port
city is indeed "the center of consciousness of the human universe." No finer example of Liverpool's meld of moxie,
melody, and mindfulness is singer-songwriter Steve O'Connor. Akin to the great rockers and poets of Liverpool,
O'Connor sings truth to power – especially in the anthem "The Needs of the Many" wherein O'Connor's guitars and
harmonies are a wall of sound to be reckoned with in addition to his stinging libretto. O'Connor also emerges as
a romantic troubadour - check out "If God Created Angels" – I advise you learn the song and serenade your significant
other. The brilliant single, "Hail Caldedonia" is a wistful homage to O'Connor's beloved Scotland. If you favor your
folk with a UK twist in the tradition of John Martyn, Nick Drake, and Badly Drawn Boy – I recommend you Roll the Dice.
(Note – this album is a rare find in the US, but easily found at Aardvark Records Co UK
site: http://kunaki.com/Sales.asp?PID=PX00Z2SWK4
©
Tom Semioli
Eric Congdon "Acoustic Wanderer," 2013
Eric Congdon's fourth CD, "Acoustic Wanderer," is a string travelogue through various cultural textures on a variety
of stringed instruments – guitars, bouzouki, dobro, and mandocello. This is a far cry from his first two recordings,
full of alt-country strains and clanging electric guitars. Congdon seems to have moved fully into acoustic territory,
but he's got chops that show through on several tunes with fingers flying. The CD opens with a Celtic-flavored tune
called "Mayfair," upbeat and bright. "The Haunting of Bath Sheeba" is an ethereal, languid meditation aided by the
deft violin playing of Lyndsay Pruett. It's the longest cut on the recording, at over seven minutes, but it never
loses its hold on you. Congdon pays homage to a couple fingerstyle masters, Rev. Gary Davis on "Hendo Flow," and
Chet Atkins on "Apples." We have the eclectic mix of African rhythm on percussion (also played by Congdon) with
mandocello providing the lead melody line. Eclectic, yes, but it worked. There are several pure solo acoustic tunes,
like "The Second Gift" and "Autumn Wish." Congdon is not afarid to mix cultural melodies with instruments not usually
employed, and his risks are rewarded with interesting songs. The final cut, "Labyrinth," is a mild-tempered attempt
at Middle Eastern fusion, with mandocello and a dobro filling the space of the oud or qanun. I liked it. I liked the
whole CD. If you like things a little different in the acoustic universe, check out Eric.
©
Kirk Albrecht
Dave Wright "Juniper Snowberries," 2013
"Juniper Snowberries" is a brief recording from promising guitarist and composer Dave Wright. It brings to mind
Pat Matheny and some of the solo multi-track recordings he did early on, particularly on "New Chautauqua." A few of
the recordings collected here were spontaneous improvisations over a few chords. The result is pleasing and, above
all, fresh. Wright clearly has command of his instrument, playing both rhythm and lead parts. He shows a great
range of dynamic emotive power as well. "Summer Song" and "Sound Furies, Furyless," solo acoustic arrangements,
both speak to Wright's gentler side, as well as his ability to craft a compelling melody. "Snorah" and "Pieces"
demonstrate a flaring and gritty intensity. He is joined on both tracks by Rob Glass on electric bass and Tommaso
Monopoli on drums.
©
Chip O'Brien
Remy DeLaroque - Three Cows Past Midnight
Steep Ravine - Trampin On
Matthew Cochran - Vapor Trail from a Paper Airplane
Gregory Hoskins & Gary Craig - The Map of Above, The Map of Below
Terry Holder - Flowers at Midnight
Kat Danser - Baptized by the Mud
