That this is 28 year old James Blackshaw's 7th album comes as something of a surprise. Sharing Chequerboard's desire to create beautifully layered instrumental sounds, 'The Glass Bead Game' has just recently been released on Young God records (run by ex-Swans main man Michael Gira). The danger with music like this is that it can become self-indulgent but there's a remarkable virtuosity about Blackshaw's playing on this record which side-steps any self-indulgence. It's beautiful stuff.This from his blog........
Initially inspired by the guitarists of the 60’s Takoma label to teach himself fingerpicking, James Blackshaw writes long-form pieces primarily for solo 12-string guitar that are heavily influenced by minimalist composers and European classical music and which use drones, overtones and repeating patterns alongside a strong inclination for melody to create instrumental music that is both intelligent, hypnotic and emotionally charged.
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