Nickie’s Niches #32: August 2024

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1. 

   Tom Penaguin

   by Tom Penaguin
   favorite track

   Aborted Long Piece No2

   Time to bring on the Canterbury! French multi-instrumentalist utilizes vintage equipment to step back in time on this venture, while keeping a modern clarity to the production. Innovative, quirky, and mesmerizing. The epic Housefly Leg is stunning, but using Aborted Long Piece No 2 to lure you in to this aural story.

   1. 

      Dryad

      by In The Labyrinth
      favorite track

      Bonus: NIGHT OF THE BASKERVILLE KILLER (classical version)

      Peter Lindhal is a multi-instrumentalist, specializing in a plethora of exotic folk instruments, as well as the usual suspects of guitars, bass and percussion. He is joined by a few guests as well, to bring his psilocybic visions into aural reality. Indeed this release originally belonged to a larger project called “The lord of Mushrooms.” Quite eclectic and eccentric, each piece contains worlds of fantasy.

      1. 

         Arc of Night

         by Danny Paul Grody Duo
         favorite track

         Hawk Hill

         San Francisco’s Danny Paul Grody Duo presents companion release to Danny’s previous solo “Arc of Day.” Meditative, lush guitars with soft percussion, with a smattering of bass and pedal steel bring one instantly to the often fog-laden Bay Area nights, cool and refreshing. I love the two epics, but for brevity’s sake I’m choosing Hawk Hill as my favourite track.

         1. 

            BOLD REYNOLD TOO

            by David Carroll and Friends
            favorite track

            Sheath and Knife

            David Carroll is no stranger to the English folk scene, and brings members of Fairport Convention and Gryphon to this second Bold Reynold release. The music hearkens back to the sound of the 70s heyday of like bands, but brings a clarity that was sometimes missing in those heady, early days. Modern electric instruments are brought along for the ride with traditional ones in this delightful musical picnic.

            1. 

               Sassoska

               by Europa String Choir
               favorite track

               Tuning the Air

               Progressive chamber quartet, utilizing violectra, viola; acoustic, electric and fretless guitars; and Celtic harp. The music is essentially played live in studio, and ranges from straight classical, to chamber, and even some rockier pieces, touching upon both Celtic and oriental music. Superb musicianship abounds here.

               1. 

                  Aperiodic Grok

                  by Tenk Van Dool and Paul Sears
                  favorite track

                  the Royal Court and the Dirt Beneath

                  Multi-instrumentalist Tenk Van Dool (Temple of Switches) and veteran percussionist Paul Sears (The Muffins, Daevid Allen, Fred Frith, and many more) have joined their formidable forces to bring us music in a hard/progessive/jazz rock vein, veering into Canterbury at times. Besides Paul on drums and percussion, Tenk provides everything else, including various synths, electric and acoustic guitars of all stripes, fretless bass, and mandolin

                  1. 

                     New Moon In The Evil Age

                     by Janel and Anthony
                     favorite track

                     New Moon

                     A double album of sorts from DC denizens cellist and vocalist Janel Leppin and guitarist Anthony Pirog. Additional instrumentation include synths, piano, koto, hammered dulcimer, electric and acoustic bass, daf, tonbak, and other percussion. The first ten tracks are contemplative chamber/classical/world style instrumentals, with the remainder featuring more electronic elements and vocals from Leppin

                     1. 

                        MORDANT LAKE

                        by GRICE
                        favorite track

                        Mordant Lake

                        A surreal and moody release from one of my favourites, GRICE. It moves from singer/songwriter/alternative into progressive territory, shape-shifting, as the subject matter demands. Crisp production allows the intricacy of the instrumentation to shine, and, shiniest of all, are the vocals. Ranges from contemplative to downright angsty.

                        1. 

                           Everybody’s Sunset

                           by James Johnston / Steve Gullick
                           favorite track

                           Medieval Death Song

                           Quavery, wavery strings steeped in gloom usher you in to this duo’s dark, and strangely beautiful world. It is mostly minimalist classical in nature, with Johnston’s vocals imparting a sense of world-weariness. Instrumentation is violin, organ, guitar, banjo, autoharp, harmonica, piano, and synths. The epic title track is stunning, but for brevity’s sake I’m going with the cheery Medieval Death Song for my favourite track

                           

                           Beth Gibbons