Album Review
D. Charles Speer – “Arghiledes” – [Thrill Jockey Records]
abacus 12/14/2011 12-inch, A Library
A trip to the Greek underworld complements of No Neck Blues Band guitarist David Shuford (aka D. Charles Speer). His solo work has traditionally been explorations into the roots of American music and the perverse influence of honky-tonks and all the drugs and alcohol that came along with them. Here, however, he explores the similarities in the Greek ‘Tekedes,’ though with a heavier influence on space and improvisation. The album weighs heavily on the bouzouki (saz equivalent) and more specifically, serves as a dedication to the father of the instrument Markos Vamvakaris (second track is a recreation of his song that translates to “The Sniffer” of drugs no doubt). Each side moves from traditional Greek/Anatolian instrumentation and structures into more open, freeform psychedelic sounds that introduce Western instruments and sounds in a very tripped out, narcotic ambience. There is a wide variety of styles and sounds here and no track sounds like any other. Check out the liner notes inside for in-depth track descriptions. Limited edition 500 copies!
you heard it 23 times on kfjc! most recently:
- 214 days ago, Zero Gravity played Lost Dervish
- 2238 days ago, Maybelline played The Heavy Heart of Ando-Yeap
- 2718 days ago, Pete Dixon played The Heavy Heart of Ando-Yeap
- 3922 days ago, Abacus Slim and Mickey Finch played Lost Dervish
- 4019 days ago, Ann Arbor played O Sinachis
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