Between The Tracks
Owl Mountain, 2019
8/10
A California born guitarist and composer, this 9th album from Steve Eulberg showcases his affinity for Americana, folk, blues, Latin sounds and even ragtime as he delivers 13 well thought instrumentals.
“Habits” starts the listen with warm Latin flavor mixed into Eulberg’s precise guitar playing that’s as soothing as it is memorable, and this formula continues to the flowing melody of “For Emily”, as well as the timeless acoustic folk of “Planxton’s Farewell”.
Deeper into the listen, Eulberg displays blues influences that populate the intricate “The Guitar Twiddle”, while “Morning Pages” shifts to a calm, introspective mood of sublime beauty.
Near to the end, “Traded My Thyroid” offers a complicated and instantly irresistible progression of charming blues, and “Walking Down The Trail” exits the listen with stunning finger acrobatics as Eulberg finishes the listen just as strong as he started it.
For those with a penchant for guitar music or who appreciate the meticulousness of finger style playing, Eulberg draws parallels to legends like Leo Kottke, Mason Williams or even Antonio Carlos Jobim on this extremely accomplished record.
Travels well with: Matt Smith- Parlor; Matt Smith- Being Human