An Idealist’s Handbook: Identity, Love And Hope In America 2020
Self-Released, 2020
8/10
Listen to An Idealist’s Handbook: Identity, Love And Hope In America 2020
The esteemed fusion guitarist Noshir Mody puts himself in fine company here, as Campbell Charshee, Yuka Tadano, Jarrett Walser, Mike Mullen, Benjamin Hankle and Kate Victor are all on hand to help cultivate the timeless melodies present on Mody’s compositions.
“Radha” starts the album with gentle, spirited guitar playing as light percussion from Walser builds into a rhythmic display on the tribute to a traditional Indian love story, and not long after, “Illusions Grow” radiates beauty with piano from Charshee and guitar solos as Mody’s first lyrics in two decades come from Victor’s sublime pipes.
The album contains several ‘Sketching’ pieces, where brief moments of intricate musicianship act as a precursor to the longer, fuller tunes. While the ‘Sketching’ of “Illusions Grow” offers meticulous guitar playing, ‘Sketching’ “Under A Starlight Sky” is 2 minutes of delicate, dreamy musicianship.
Deeper tracks offer the soaring “Under A Starlight Sky”, where a mysterious landscape builds into a heartfelt and emotive effort, and the reprise version of “Illusions Grow” exits with expressive singing alongside Mody’s exceptional acoustic guitar.
Mody came to the U.S. from India he was just 22, and since then has proved time and time again he’s a guitar virtuoso with a skill set that few can replicate. Here, he also proves that he’s a strong lyricist, as his songwriting takes on a new dimension that, in this very difficult year for America, could help heal some of the wounds or at least provide some relief from all the tragedy.
Travels well with: Paul Shaw Quintet- Moment Of Clarity; Jason Kao Hwang- Human Rites Trio