Bruce Mathiske "Six String Anthology" 2018
Bruce Mathiske is an elegant and sophisticated composer and performer whose music, on Six String Anthology, centers in the classical tradition while opening its windows to breezes from blues and rock, jazz,
and winds more exotic, such as shamals and siroccos from Persia ("Tales from Afar") and Spain, and even a Fremantle Doctor, that welcome Australian wind known for relieving the heat of a dry, dusty cricket match.
There is a guitar trio on the virtuosic first track that is worth the price of admission, while tracks five and seven, "Zephyr" parts one and two, are short, gentle exhalations of notes. Part two features the
Australian Mathiske on didgeridoo as well as guitar--and is apparently looped, as well, a bit unusual for a "classical" guitarist. But Mathiske is no purist, he lets the music take him where it needs to go. And
he rides those atmospheric rivers like a bird, graceful, joyous, and free.
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Brian Clark
Five Letter Word "Siren" 2019
Like an acoustic Dixie Chicks, this trio of women offer up a great variety of well-written songs with bass, guitar, banjo, fiddle and infused with wonderful harmonies. One of them even sounds a bit like Natalie
Maines crossed with Dolly Parton, however, none of the women are a slouch in the vocal department. In spite of a melodic upbeat sound "Easier to Go" is a lament about how hard it is to leave a certain man. In "Cast
Iron Skillet" she endures a terrible relationship but has no trouble letting him go with a whack on the head from her frying pan. The bluesy "Bills in the Mail" also complains about a man but in "Still You Stay" the
singer expresses wonder that he’s still with her -- a great frailed banjo carries the song. There are a lot of engaging stories, like the murder ballad "Rumor of the Money." One of the best on the album is "More Than
Your Dog." She only has one simple wish, that he loves her more than Fido. Listen up, dude, she doesn’t want to share a bed with someone hairier than you. This Americana band does it right with solid musicianship,
engaging stories and water-tight harmonies.
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Jamie Anderson
Forest Bailey "Let the Clouds Pass" 2018
Forest Bailey plays his instrumental compositions on steel-string acoustic guitar, using alternate tunings, tapping, harmonics, and right-hand fretting, as well as more traditional fingerstyle techniques. My favorites
include the opener, "Midnight Picnic Near the Ocean" and "Covenant," both of which feature nice melodic development. On "Gone Too Soon" and "Leap of Faith, " he uses the aforementioned special techniques to present
compelling and unified musical statements. "In Regards to Permanence," perhaps the best track, displays his compositional and arranging strengths front and center. Bailey's positives are his productivity as a composer
for the guitar, confident playing, and strong grooves. His rhythmic approach ties everything together, so it is possible to listen to Let the Clouds Pass as a suite. This is at turns a strength and a weakness. A shift in
emphasis could lead him to highlight the lyricism in his work and use percussion more sparingly, thereby adding variety and contrast. Bailey is currently touring smaller venues throughout the United States and recently
launched a YouTube channel. He's talented, energetic, and worth following. Also, his videos are fun to watch.
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Patrick Ragains