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This is an amazing collection of eleven
original pieces written by one of America's leading proponents of
finger picking style guitar playing. Richard is joined on the album
by Jud Martindale on Congas, Udu drum, and various percussion.
The disc starts with some lightning
fast open tuning riffs on RJ's 1951 Gibson 175. There is great detail
in the phrasing, with the modest percussion of Martindale adding
a organic quality to the music. This piece sets the mood for the
remainder of the album. Stylistically, it's a hybrid of some of
the best moments of Steve Tibbetts work with percussionist, Marc
Anderson, with the nimble dexterity and dynamics of Leo Kottke's
acoustic work, and a little Steve Howe thrown in for good measure.
My favorite cut is the final piece,
"The Order of the Purple Duck". It is the longest piece on
the album running at 9:37. Richard sensitively utilizes everything
he can pull out of his Taylor 12 string, going seamlessly from an
almost accelerated baroque sounding beginning to a great and memorable
crescendo in the final bars of the song. His playing is fluid, with
the guitar and percussion blending seamlessly. Richard's music communicates
in ways alien to words. It evades description more than some of
his peers, but even the most pure or traditional music
sometimes overflows categories and pigeon-holes.
The best players of all music forms
don't play genres, they just play. They express and enjoy the sounds.
"Creatures of Habit" is full of intricate picking, angular harmonies,
buzzing Asian sonorities played with affecting warmth. The sound
quality of the album is superb, reaffirming Johnson as a major player
in the field of contemporary instrumental guitarists. Highly recommended!
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