Compatible with all MP3 players including iPod, iPad, iTunes and Window Media Player
Always unique and uncompromising, John Abercrombie gained a good deal of his popularity from his solo playing. Not the virtuoso of his primary influences -- Django Reinhardt, Tal Farlow and Jim Hall -- Abercrombie is much more the introvert. He often bypasses traditional techniques to pursue experimental sounds and rhythms. Along with Ralph Towner, whom he has recorded with before (see Sargasso Sea), Abercrombie makes excellent use of space within both his compositions and solos. Upon the first listen there may not appear to be very much here; however, this music needs to be absorbed over several listens to appreciate Abercrombie's brilliance. ~ Robert Taylor
Recorded at Talent Studio, Oslo, Norway in November 1977.
Solo performer: John Abercrombie (acoustic & electric guitars, electric mandolin).
Personnel: John Abercrombie (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin, electric mandolin); Peter Donald (drums).
Abercrombies only all-solo recording a true masterpiece Any (even casual) fan of the wonderfully original Jazz guitarist won't want to miss this one. It's Abercrombies only all-solo recording ever, an overdubbed masterpiece from 1977. Personally, i've been waiting for John to do another one since I first purchased the vinyl of this way back in '78, but it hasn't happened. I've purchased most of John's olo works, and many many performances on other peoples recordings but this is my "desert Island disc" as far as Abercrombie's career is concerned. Why hasn't he done another one? I don't know and i've been waiting since this one came out way back when. Perhaps he doesn't think he could top this one? That's the only acceptable reason I could think of. The long 1st track kicks off with several minutes of John's solo miniature elctric mandolin soloing before several acoustic guitars kick in wonderfully and drive the tune on. There are several shorter, more reflective pieces here based around Joh's acoustic guitars, or a combination of acoustic and electric. A couple of these rate as John's most beautiful ballad writng ever, very reflective and a bit sad. John was certainly inspired during these sessions. "Ghost Dance" has a bit of an unusal haunting refrain to it, but the final piece is by far my favorite. Without using any guitar synthesizers (this was before John's involvment with them), Abercrombie makes a spacey, ethereal pice using the volume swell of his electric guitar aided by some nice background finger picking on acoustic guitar. I could listen to him do this for 20 minutes, but, as usual Abercrombie doesn't overstay his welcome on any of these pieces, even the 10 minute opening track. I will continue to listen to all the music John will give to us in the future, and continue to hope that another all-solo effort is in the cards, but I don't know if this one can ever be topped... Submitted by phasedin (South Hackensack, NJ) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Share this Product