solo electric

We're still rehearsing and documenting the new direction of the Duo, but Im doing a lot of woodshedding on my own. I ve been recording some of that as well -- the first time i've really recorded solo work with a view towards self-analysis -- so here's a result I thought I'd share.

So I uploaded last night a fretless alap and jor, based loosely on Rag Kirwani. It utilizes a mix of sarod and Indian violin techniques, as well as some unique things that only the guitar could do , like the sustained chordal work around the 3 or 4 min range... i like the ability to slowly bend some of the notes in the chord around, it gives it a nice tension and something only possible on the fretless.

Its very nice to be absorbed in this instrument, discovering what it can do as a tool to link the methodologies in avant free improv and Indian Classical music.

The very abstract nature of the jor at about 6 minutes in, certainly reveals my free jazz past, haha -- but i think it works -- but im curious to what you think. It works best under headphones, as the jor portion also has some interesting stop and start elements with low stuff going on underneath it.

Its entitled "Alap Jor Solo Fretless" - and you can find it on our myspace page.

Enjoy!!

In other news, we'll make our Albuquerque debut here soon ( ill post details in a couple of days), I ve dusted off the oud, and am thinking of a fretted /fretless doubleneck, maybe twelve string fretless -- just not sure how it will all pan out...

stay tuned.