Interconnected
Self-Released, 2020
8/10
The inimitable Mark Vickness returns with a sophomore album, where the guitar virtuoso takes help from Mad Tolling on violin and Joseph Hebert holding down cello, while Dan Feiszli and Ty Burhoe offer bass and tabla respectively across 5 of the 9 pieces.
“Interwoven” starts the listen with elegant strings as a very soothing quality enters the very agile setting where Tolling, Burhoe, Feiszli and Hebert are on hand with their talents that don’t shy away from Eastern influences, and the solo “Grey Skye” follows as Vickness displays intricate picking and playful percussion on the stunning melodies that swirl with much appeal.
Near the middle, “6 In 7” offers a haunting quality to the often cinematic appeal that gets a bit more firm throughout the track, while “Mia Lucia” glides with a warm, emotive quality that’s as mesmerizing as it is stirring.
At the end, “Hot Apple Stuff” is a live full band track with incredible sound quality to the adventurous and soaring album highlight, and “One Day Over A Thousand” has Vickness exiting the listen on his own, as he cultivates a beautiful landscape where restraint and harmony enter the contemplative finish.
A very unique fusion listen where folk, classical, jazz, New Age and world music are all part of the equation, Vickness and company execute rich, reflective and often moving song craft here, the kind that doesn’t need words to resonate and inspire.
Travels well with: James Lentini- Through Time And Place; Patterns- Chamber Works