As one of today’s guitar spokesmen, Julian Lage converses in a plethora of different languages. Every time I’ve seen him it’s been with a different feel and style, ranging from heated post bop with long solos to Grand Ol’ Opry folk charms. This time around with Jorge Roeder/b, Dave King/dr, Kris Davis-Patrick Warren/keys and Levon Henry/wwinds, he creates a large palate of colors as well.
There is some grungy Chuck Berry riffing on “Northern Shuffle” and some easy grooving for “Speak To Me”. On acoustic strings, there is a rural folk feel to “76” and an eerie red clay atmosphere to “South Mountain”, while you might think you’re in the local VFW on the informal “Serenade”. Lage doesn’t worry about long solos or extrapolated ideas here. He’s setting a mood, using his guitar for sonic Feng Shui. Sit down and relax.