Julian Lage - Speak To Me
Julian Lage - Speak To Me
A jazz record! The very first of this new era of the blog. And very much unlike any other jazz record I’ve ever posted.
Julian Lage is a jazz guitarist. One who is as much influenced by the acoustic masters of so-called American Primitivism like John Fahey as he is by the jazz greats like Coltrane and Davis. This combination of influences yields a unique fusion of avant-garde improvisational melody and rustic folk texture.
This one really sunk its way under my skin over successive listens. It’s a great record for taking a walk in this late winter weather. It’s brisk, it’s bracing, but there’s an underlying warmth and life that always makes itself known.
Sometimes these compositions are built around pretty straightforwardly rocking riffs like Northern Shuffle. Other times, the backing band really comes to the fore, and we have the privilege of listening to some masterful improvisation while Lage's guitar plucks out the central motif in the background.
Very lovely. Very rewarding and interesting.
Streaming below via YouTube.
Highlights: Northern Shuffle • Omission • Nothing Happens Here
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