Peripheral Visions
Self-Released, 2023
9/10
The Brooklyn guitarist and composer Grant Gordy is joined by Alex Hargreaves, Dominick Leslie and Aidan O’Donnell for these 11 stylish and diverse songs that touch on bluegrass while still very much being a jazz album.
The extremely warm and dynamic “Bridge And Tunnel” opens the listen with Gordy’s fluid guitar being matched by Leslie’s very precise mandolin prowess, and “Espionage” follows with Hargreaves’ elegant violin manipulation adding much intrigue to the rich landscape.
In the middle, “Elegy For Tony Rice” comes with a strong emotional appeal thanks to the intimate strings, while “Cloud Of Witnesses” is packed with quick picking that illuminates much dexterity amid the adventurous delivery.
Nearing the end, the firm progressions of the textured, uniquely rhythmic “International Klein Blues” are hard to not appreciate, and the dreamy beauty of “To Ron” exits with much memorableness in its cozy and charming demeanor.
All the players here have excellent resumes, and their combined strength makes for a very creative, instrumental, jazz-grass hybrid that warrants many listens.
Travels well with: Jordan Tice- Motivational Speakeasy; Andy Hall- Squareneck Soul