Across Time
ReEntrant, 2022
8/10
A collection of guitar solos and songs from Frederic Hand that date back as far as 1977 and are as recent as 2021, Across Time illustrates the artist’s very diverse approach to musical language.
“Renewal” opens the listen with Hand’s delicate and warm guitar that is dedicated to João Luiz and makes the most out of the flowing melodies that help accelerate the tune’s pace, and “Ballade For Astor Piazzolla” follows with nods to Federico Díaz as rich tango ideas unfold with precise harmonics.
Further into the listen, “I Am” recruits very eloquent and expressive singing from Lesley Hand’s soprano into Hand’s very pretty playing, while “A Waltz For Maurice” showcases meticulous picking in a highly reflective and dreamy climate.
Deeper still, “Trilogy” includes 3 chapters that radiate both firm and gentle techniques, and “Cooper Lake” exits the listen with lush and complicated progressions that are as captivating as they are timeless.
Other than Lesley Hand’s very capable voice on 3 tracks, this is entirely Frederic Hand’s gorgeous guitar playing, and at 14 tracks it never out welcomes its stay as each piece finds its own distinct place to reside.
Travels well with: Marti Epstein- Nebraska Impromptu; Pathos Trio- When Dark Sounds Collide