EWR1 James Green ? Tempers CD mini-album (250 copies in
lino-print sleeve)
Delicate and gentle as a passing breeze, the first solo record from James Green
(of Big Eyes) is a graceful assemblage of instrumental sketches that will appeal
to all who appreciate the plaintive beauty of the classical guitar. Those
familiar with Big Eyes' discography will recognise James' unmistakeable grasp
for simple, affecting melody, here presented with an honest, confessional
simplicity, which commands attention. All pieces are first or second take and
are either solo guitar or two tracks maximum. By consciously limiting himself
to this instrument and these techniques, James has developed a sound that might
complement the New Folk troubadours currently emerging from the US such as Jack
Rose or Ben Chasny (Six Organs of Admittance), but with a lightness of touch
almost absent in any of those guitarists' work. Let it be said that this is
closer to the work of Mick Turner (Dirty Three), John Williams, Bert Jansch,
Eric Satie or Debussy than Fahey, Kottke, Basho or other names so often paraded
but rarely equalled. Packaged in a tasteful hand-printed slip case and limited
to 250 copies, this release serves a beautiful companion piece to the most
recent Big Eyes album 'We have no need for voices when our hearts can sing'
released on Pickled Egg earlier this year.