Joel Harrison - Guitar Talk Vol. 2: A Double Album of Jazz & Classical Duos / 2CD set

The jazz guitar music is a discursive collection of improvisations based on Harrison’s bold, far-ranging compositions. They include a stirring tribute to the late Dickey Betts with Nels Cline, an anthemic jazz -rock piece with Mike Stern dedicated to Harrison’s hometown, Washington D.C., and a lovely Latin-tinged tune with Camila Meza, whose wordless vocals cast a spell. The Austrian virtuoso, Wolfgang Muthspiel, plays on two tracks with his gorgeous nylon string. 

There are ambient, experimental romps with Anthony Pirog (of The Messthetics), a piece dedicated to singer Luther Vandross with Adam Levy, and a 12-string and electric combo with Gregg Belisle-Chi. Harrison plays numerous axes throughout, including both electric and acoustic 12 string, a vintage Gibson SG, a vintage Telecaster, and his Paul Reed Smith. The effect is an all-encompassing essay of what is possible with electric guitar. Tones, moods, approaches move and morph through this singular collection of empathetic voices.

The classical guitar music is performed by Daniel Lippel and Fareed Haque. This is Harrison’s first collection of fully notated work for classical guitar, with all his customary lyricism, virtuosity and imagination. Influences include Ralph Towner, Egberto Gismonti, Ravel, and Lennox Berkeley.