The Bridge
Tropo, 2020
8/10
The guitar wizard Alex de Grassi returns with originals and covers on this instrumental, finger picked experience where the sound is captured perfectly thanks to Grammy Award winner Leslie Ann Jones.
“Mr. B Takes A Walk In The Rain” starts the listen with intricate guitar work that’s as fascinating as it is memorable as de Grassi even uses the guitar for percussion, and “Angel”, a Jimi Hendrix tune, keeps the setting warm with a playful rhythm that both soars high and retreats to calm while being played on a sympitar.
At the halfway point, “Shenandoah” flows with a bit of mystery in its meticulous nature, while “Eulogy In A Low Voice” resonates a strong emotional quality. The Gershwin original, “It Ain’t Necessarily So”, is one of the album’s best, and gets both adventurous and introspective with fluid beauty.
De Grassi bookends the listen with “The Deep”, where his inimitable talent is displayed with a flawless delivery, and “Sí Bheag Sí Mhór” unwinds with stirring melodies as he mimics a harp with his guitar.
It’s been 17 years since de Grassi has released a solo guitar record, and The Bridge is a triumphant return where his acoustic prowess shines bright and has the listener hanging on every unpredictable note.
Travels well with: William Ackerman- Past Light; William Tyler- Goes West