CD Revew – Laurence Juber’s Under an Indigo Sky

A “late-night” record of fingerstyle artistry, Juber’s Under and Indigo Sky is …

Languid, lovely, evocative… a melt into a sumptuous sofa, and the sonic equivalent of isolated pools of low light playing off facets of cut crystal and opulent aperitif, close sensuous voices, soft laughter bittersweet with memory at the end of an evening. A warm, layered and very human scene painted entirely with one acoustic guitar drenched with resonant chords, clear and unhurried melody lines, and shadowy blue bass notes that rise or fall in pitch or pace like a melancholy pulse. An exquisite piece of music played on an exquisite guitar, exquisitely.

And that is just the first track on Juber’s Under an Indigo Sky, the latest CD from the two-time Grammy winner.

It was mixed by Al Schmitt, who has won 19 Grammy Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006.

On the CD, the slightest string vibration, creak of the guitar’s hide glue joints, or wave of Juber’s “virtual whammy bar” technique used to coax out every drop of resonance is heard clearly and in three dimensions. The vinyl version must be breathtaking.

As impressive as the vibrant playing is, it is the more languid performances, such as Cry Me A River with its sustained chords and un-struck string glides that truly show off the mastery of the engineer and the exceptional qualities of the guitar. While both the mellow and the vigorous selections reveal the mastery and exceptional qualities of the guitarist.

Read the Full Review of Juber’s Under an Indigo Sky

Laurence Juber's Under an Indigo Sky

George Barnes – the first electric guitarist

George Barnes just may be the best guitarist you (thought) you never heard. He appeared  at more recording sessions than any musician in the union files – blues, jazz, rock n roll, folk, country and western, you name it.

… Then, I heard the duets of George Barnes and Bucky Pizzarelli. I was enthralled with the musicality of the tunes, the breathtaking licks, the slower passages of glistening, liquid tone. For some reason I assumed the suave, James Bond looking guy with the colorful name must have been doing all the exquisite lead playing. Only later did I realize it was the squat, cigar-chomping George Barnes who was tripping the light fandango in such a transcendent manner.

He had a lot of practice, as it turned out…

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George Barnes

CD Review – Howard Emerson’s It Ain’t Necessarily So

Howard Emerson’s It Ain’t Necessarily So offers tracks that are bluesier, while some are more poppy, or even churchy. Many are written in alternate tunings, and most of those are cross-tuned so the key is something other than the root of the tuning itself (no small feat when done with such mastery.) But all are neatly constructed and expertly rendered…

Emerson’s style is easily recognizable, by its authoritative thumb-driven rhythms matched with an intelligent use of mid range and treble that weave texture and highlight around simple yet fresh melodies. And there is always that impeccable timing, with flow and tension, space suddenly appearing and just as quickly filling up again. That is all notably present on tunes like “Pop Top” and “That’s What She Said.”

Read Full Review of Howard Emerson’s It Ain’t Necessarily So

Bob Brozman 1954-2013

We are greatly saddened by the news of the untimely passing of Bob Brozman, at the age of 59.

An innovative traditionalist and with a wide scope as a musicologist, his was a unique style grounded with deep roots. He will be in many ways irreplaceable.

In the words of our good friend Stan Jay, of Mandolin Brothers:

Bob was a great person, musician and friend to the heritage of styles of the 1920s and ‘30s, and also to both the National Reso-Phonic and the Santa Cruz Guitar Companies.

He was always willing to share information and advice.

He was, in every way, a true professional.

We will greatly miss him.

Amen

Laurence Juber has a new CD and a new guitar on the way

We heard from our friend Laurence Juber this morning.

The double Grammy-winning guitarist dropped by One Man’s Guitar to check out the new site, and then dropped us a line to let us know about his new guitar, and tell us that our copy of his latest CD is on the way.

The album was recorded entirely with his  Martin OMC-44K LJ. It was made in Martin’s custom shop and features Hawaiian koa wood and special ultra-light construction for maximum resonance.

It was also available to the public in a limited edition of 25 guitars, available exclusively through Wildwood Guitars of Louisville, Colorado.

But LJ let us know he has a new personal custom on order. It will be identical to his OMC-18 LJ, only with a top made from the high altitude Swiss spruce that debuted on a small number of special Martins this past January, like the Custom Shop’s own CS-OM-13.

We can’t wait to LJ’s new axe on stage and CD!

 

Leo Kottke in Concert, NYC 03.01.11

kottke31as“…I inquired about them after the show. Leo said he doesn’t follow a set list. But when I mentioned details of the technique employed, he had no trouble recalling the titles; Four Cents and Flattop. “Four and Flat are new tunes.”, he added. “Four is a take on something Toots Thielemans said to Dave Evans…” 

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