Palilalia US Vinilo y CD

Review: Miami-born contemporary guitarist Bill Orcutt is known for his infatuating blend of blues, punk, trance and noise. With the release of Four Guitars Live on CD, he could've easily convinced us of this being a rare and long-forgotten artefact, of a proto-drone artist from the Deltaic 1960s. In reality, this was first incarnated in 2022 under the recorded name Music For Four Guitars, and Orcutt's establishing brand of doom-blues-trance-minimalism could invite artistic comparisons as far-fetched as Steve Reich or Rachika Nayar. But his sound is more nostalgic, seeming to predict emo and pysch both "before" and after the fact of the genre's establishment. Fittingly Reichean, Orcutt forms one part of a quartet here, performing the record in its entirety live at Le Guess Who? festival in Utrecht, 2023.

Review: Bill Orcutt's Music for Four Guitars album emerges as his most mature and exhilarating LP to date and exudes undeniable Apollonian beauty. Praised by underground aficionados and featured on NPR, the Bill Orcutt Guitar Quartet - comprising Wendy Eisenberg, Ava Mendoza, and Shane Parish - embodies technical prowess and improvisational brilliance. Recorded live at Le Guess Who? festival during their inaugural European tour, Four Guitars Live captures the quartet's seamless fusion of faithful renditions and expansive improvisations. From Mendoza's captivating lines to Parish's ethereal solos, the album transcends boundaries, showcasing soulful polytonal improv accessible to all. Orcutt's visionary compositions, enriched by collective virtuosity, redefine contemporary guitar music, captivating audiences with classic intervals and layered intricacies.

Review: This is a solo album in the true sense of the word. It's comprised solely of Ava Mendoza's raw virtuoso avant rock guitar playing and - on two tracks - her passionate voice. The Brooklyn-via-Oakland musician is also known for being a skilled collaborator, with the her band Unnatural Ways having earned a stellar reputation, but limiting the spotlight to herself alone here serves to elevate the searching, personal themes on the record. Mendoza's is famed for her virtuoso guitar technique, with lightning-quick tapping, use of feedback and tremolo up there with the best in the business. This is a melange of classical, free jazz, blues and noise, to name a few. With technique this strong, it's no wonder she's been setting the New York experimental scene alight over the past few years. And with The Circular Train - merely her second solo album - we can hope there's many more to come.

Review: Harry Pussy co-founder Bill Orcutt has since moved on from those riotous noise rock years to explore other modes of expression with his guitar. Across an accomplished and many-sided career he's laid down a powerful statement against the idea everything's been done on six strings, and this album is another fine case in point. If the title sounds formal, don't be fooled - there's a raucous energy to Music For Four Guitars. It sounds free and raw, even as it deals in minimal motions between clashing axes played by Orcutt in conversation with himself.

Review: Shane Parish's Repertoire features his virtuosity and versatility as a guitarist across fourteen cover songs arranged for acoustic guitar. Parish's interpretations breathe new life into familiar tunes, demonstrating his skillful approach to the instrument. Highlights include 'Serenade to a Cuckoo,' where Parish's arpeggio intro and main body elevate Rahsaan Roland Kirk's flute tune, and 'Lonely Woman,' reminiscent of John Fahey's mature style. The album also features captivating renditions of John Cage's 'Totem Ancestor' and Charles Mingus's 'Reincarnation of a Lovebird,' where Parish infuses flamenco elements and dynamic shifts. Particularly noteworthy is Parish's solo take on Alice Coltrane's 'Journey in Satchidananda,' where he encapsulates the magic of the original piece in a fraction of its runtime. Overall, Repertoire is a finely crafted collection of beautifully performed songs that highlights Parish's prowess as a guitarist and arranger.