Six strings a strumming…
Guitarist Peter Curtis gives a solo album of material that captured his thoughts during the pandemic lockdown. He mixes acoustic, nylon and electric strings on a wide ranging selection of covers, giving a clever Andalusian take of The Police’s “Don’t Stand So Close To Me” as well as a lovely nylon strung “Armageddon” from Wayne Shorter’s pen. He boogies well on the d isco classic “Stayin’ Alive” and is cozy on “A Spoonful Of Sugar”, teaming up with tenor saxist Charlie Richard as he breaks the social distancing rules on an intimate “The Nearness Of You”. Warm reflections.
Aleksi Glick has a guitar style that is part Herb Ellis, Chet Atkins and Wes Montgomery as he mixes originals and standards, even singing a bit on a Dylanesque “Long Black Veil”. He’s got an affable swing on his own “With Ese” and is fun on the frets for Jerry Garcia’s “Casey Jones”. There’s a folksy feel to “Still Crazy After All These Years” while “Danny Boy” is calm and cozy. His own “Rebirth” has a hint of The Beatles to it, while soft harmonics and octaves are produced on “Georgia On My Mind”. Casual contemplations.