Talvihorros – Solo Guitar Improvisation II
Talvihorros , the work of Londoner Ben Chatwin , first came to my attention via his sublime 2009 album Some Ambulance , a record that literally blew me away with its attention to detail, fantastic musicianship and downright excellent compositions. At the time, I called Chatwin’s debut LP ‘endlessly listenable’ and ‘the first port of call for those with even a passing interest in where electro-acoustic and ambient music is heading in 2009/10′. It’s a record I definitely intend to revisit again.
Solo Guitar Improvisation II is as exactly as stated in its title, a long-form recording using differing guitar textures and effects, the difference being that it’s recorded using unconventional techniques and implements including an ebow, a buddha machine, battery operated instruments and shortwave radio via an array of pedals and effects units.
Chatwin’s controls each sound beautifully, forming them into a cohesive whole. From the scything guitar wails, the screeching feedback, free-form riffling and the layer of electric scree that seems to engulf this piece, there’s a deliberately tempered flow prevalent here and one cannot help but picture an erupting volcano when listening.
Unlike ‘Some Ambulance‘, this track is aggressive and relentless, yet isn’t exempt from the compositional flexibility that made that record so interesting. It belies the fact that it was recorded live in one take with very little digital tinkering or over-dubs. A phenomenal piece that’s not short on melody and one that reminds of the guitar and anything-goes experimentation approach of a certain Jonny Greenwood . This is available as a free download, so there really is no excuse not to check this fantastic, Rural Colours release out.
~Review originally appeared at Mike’s blog, Phantom Channel.~