Actions Speak Louder
Redshift, 2021
9/10
Listen to Actions Speak Louder
The revered Canadian guitarist and composer Tim Brady takes on a very daring project here, where he spreads out his diverse vision across 3 discs that mix solo guitar pieces, orchestral nods and chamber ensembles that seamlessly flow together with incredible attention to detail.
Disc 1 leads with the precise and hypnotic guitar of “Simple Loops In Complex Times”, which unfolds across 3 movements of quivering, dreamy and meticulous songwriting that packs an emotional spirit into the gorgeous climate. “At Sergio’s Request” follows with no shortage of atmosphere in a mysterious, cinematic delivery, and “Uncertain Impact” exits this portion with a more firm quality that segues into fascinating guitar acrobatics, where the Instruments Of Happiness ensemble are on hand.
The middle disc is just one long track, as “Triple Concerto: Because Everything Has Changed” meshes Helmut Lipsky’s moody violin and Shawn Mativetsky’s tabla and percussion with Brady’s guitar and programming for a very distinct orchestral journey that’s also ambient and quite captivating.
The final portion offers us “Revolutionary Songs” and “As It Happened”, where the former showcases gorgeous soprano singing amid mesmerizing guitar and subtle cello, and the latter uses spoken word and many voices for a collage of sounds that are dizzying, almost spiritual and extremely unconventional.
You’re not likely to hear anything like this anywhere else, as Brady and company dabble in electroacoustic sounds, classical moments, artistic qualities and unparalleled guitar playing, and the lengthy booklet that comes with the 3 disc package makes for an even better experience of Brady’s inimitable sound manipulation.
Travels well with: Allen Ravenstine- Rue Du Poisson Noir; Warp Trio- Warp Trio’s Pandemic Disco Fantasy