This weeks best guitar Cds-Week of 08/31/2010

Image via Wikipedia1) Bill Frisell-Beautiful Dreamers

    There is simply no other guitarist making music today that is as fearless as Bill Frisell. Unafraid of beauty were convention would add dissonance and vice-versa. Certainly,he is unconcerned about what is allowed in "jazz". He is also unafraid of unconventional band configurations as demonstrated by the guitar/violin/drum trio of Beautiful Dreamers. Frisell has long ago explored the bassless trio format as a member,with saxophonist Joe Lovano,in Paul Motions trio. Violinist Eyvind Kang,a longtime Frisell collaborator,certainly adds a different than usual flavor to the mix. I'm less familiar with drummer Rudy Royston and I'm always glad to see when a newcomer to the Frisell fold seems to "get it" and really gel with the group. This gets my highest recommendation.



2) Heart-Red Velvet Car
     After giving up on Heart in the Velveeta coated 80' I'm happy to find the Wilson sisters seem to have remembered they used to be in a rock band! Along with producer Ben Mink,Ann and Nancy play up the acoustic side of their Zeppelin inspired rock for an album that can stand up with pride next to their 70's output. It's almost aggressively affordable price wont hurt either!

3) Richard Thompson-Dream Attic

     Thirteen new song recorded,not in the studio,but live on his February 2010 tour! In addition to his trademark Stratocaster tones Thompson brings bass,drums and two "secret weapons" in the form of violinist/mandolinist/vocalist Joel Zifkin and multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Pete Zorn.



4) Rosario Conte-Une Larme
     Solo music for baroque guitar from Francesco Corbettas 1671 guitar book La Guitarre Royalle,played on period instruments.



5) Cephalic Carnage-Misled by Certainty
      It's been three years since 2007's Xenosapien and extreme metal veterans Cephalic Carnage return with perhaps their most sprawling epic yet.



6) Andras Csaki-Laureate Guitar Series

     Award wining guitarist and assistant professor at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest takes on solo guitar pieces from Britten,Duarte,Castelnuovo-Tedesco and Bach's most technically challenging lute suite.

7) Quest For Fire-Lights From Paradise
      Canadian psychedelic rockers bring out the fuzz guitars and spring reverb and add a touch of Pink Floyd meets Black Sabbath on their second album.



8) Scott Colley-Empire
     It's the hidden bonus Bill Frisell Cd of the week! Upright bassist Scott Colley features 11 of his own compositions with stellar support from Frisell along with Ralph Alessi on trumpet,Craig Taborn on piano and the wonderful Brian Blade on drums. Colleys history offers up a guitar friendly background,including work with Jim Hall,John Scofield,Pat Metheny and previous work with Frisell.



9) Chico Pinheiro-There's a Storm Inside
      Brazilian guitarist/vocalist Pinheiro skews a bit too slick for my taste but offers up plenty of good guitar work here.



10) Mats Eilertsen-Radio Yonder
      Bassist Mats Eilertsen is most well known for his work with Tord Gustavsen and this album shares a similar restraint and sparseness. The biggest difference here is guitarist Thomas Dahl,who recalls a grittier Pat Metheny. This is European jazz at it's finest.

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