Pete’s Pandemic Playlist
Bella Barktalk, 2022
8/10
Listen to Pete’s Pandemic Playlist
A (mostly) solo guitar record from an artist who has played alongside many blues and jazz legends and is also versed in classical sounds, Peter Curtis interprets songs most of us have heard before, and that were running through the recesses of his mind during the pandemic.
“I Will Survive” starts the listen with warm and skilled guitar playing as the tempo of the classic is manipulated playfully, and the Wayne Shorter tune, “Armageddon”, follows with a very meticulous nature that’s quite agile.
Sting’s “Don’t Stand So Close To Me” arrives closer to the middle and showcases very playful progressions, while Duke Ellington’s “Solitude” recruits a rich intimacy that’s full of cautious yet adventurous song craft.
The best track here, “In The Air Tonight”, has Curtis speeding up the Phil Collins hit and adding some culture to the affair, and “Somewhere” exits the listen with a wealth of talent as Curtis’ finger acrobatics are illuminated with much attention to detail.
Other than saxophone on one track, this is entirely Curtis, his guitar and imagination. Some of the songs clearly have ties to the pandemic, though others require some thought about the connection. At any rate, they’re all fun to listen thanks to Curtis’ unique vision.
Travels well with: Doug MacDonald- Overtones; Chris Torkewitz- NY Ensembles