release date: 05.06.2020 via 7th Media
An initial OHs & AHs :
“These are great experiments in unknown territories…”
“I felt pleased and perplexed. Many more listening are forthcoming.”
“Love the space you put in this. It does breathe deeply.”
“Oh my God! This sounds awesome, interesting, attractive, cool, fresh, inspiring!”
“Loving it!”
“I like this.” (from Aunt Kaye)
This double bill outcome, the latest on the 7th Media, comes from Trey Gunn himself and it is quite unusual recording in many aspects. First of All it is a recording of the single session, each of them, which took place day after each other, on 16th and 17th of March respectively, documenting certain spontaneous flow of ideas in an artists head, which had been put in to single take, without usual production preparations. Second, it had been made a twin session by employing the same recording methodology: 2 channel recording, 1st -direct and 2nd – via Rode microphone on a Phil Jones Double Four amplifier. Third and most important to me The 2nd came as a counterpoint to the 1st one, which means that in that regard despite the fact that they can exist separately, one apart from the other, they reach their philosophical fullness and compositional integrity only together, like a Baroque Fugue.
To put it into more personal perspective let’s quote the Trey himself: ” … I went out into the side yard, next to the open window of my studio. I asked the crows how they found listening to this. Their response was: Put in 91%, get back 137%. Put in 31% get back 13%. Or more likely -17% … ” Well, now finally it all starts to make more sense , doesn’t it ?
If one needs translation from the Birdy to plain English that would be looking more like that: When the Punkt leans towards abstraction the Firma keeps pulling towards the ground. In that regards depends on the listeners personality and the type of sensitivity/intellectualism one is going to be naturally leaning towards the one which fits better his nature, like with Yin and Young, the traces of himself will still remain in the other camp. To understand that one needs to listen to it more than once, just like to your inner self, with which everyone dialogues more or less, again depending on own his needs and personality. It is obvious then that the recordings due their nature be more rewarding to those who are willing to pay more attention.
The project for sure it the one to stay longer with and it really takes the listener through the layers of complexity interacting randomly with his feelings and moods, all depends on when, where and how deep he is willing to explore this music. I am living with it just a week for now but it continues surprising me with the emotions it triggers and the way it makes me exploring them. I will come with the review shortly, but I don’t thinks so this is a chapter which can ever be closed. So far I do recommend listening to that and if you like it, to support artists with purchasing their music here. Additionally the graphic wrap added to this production, created by Julia Hensley completes entire concept really nice and I wish that it will be also available in the future in a form of printed media as it is really wonderful and truly deserves it.
Recorded live on the evenings of March 16 & 17, 2020.
Solo guitar, exposed and without processing or overdubs.
Important NOTE:
This Friday, June 5th is An Artist Day at Bandcamp
In light of all live performances being cancelled indefinitely due to the quarantine, Bandcamp is making a special offer to help out their artists. For the entire 24-hour period this Friday, Bandcamp is not taking their normal percentage of artists sales. All proceeds go directly to the musicians. (FYI, Bandcamp’s usual commission is 15%, so this is a huge difference for the musicians.) Consider flushing out your 7d catalog and contributing to the creative life of those whose visions you support.