The new album from Chicago-based guitarist showcases his freewheeling fretboard talents that hark back to his British roots.
James Elkington was born in England but headed across to Chicago in the 90s, where he embedded himself into the music scene to become an in-demand guitarist who has played with a wealth of well-known artists. He was once asked to step in for Tortoise’s Jeff Parker for a tour, which sums up his prowess on six strings pretty well, as anyone who can play along with Jeff Parker is top in my books.
Fans of British folk of the 70s will be happy here. Think Pentangle, Bert Jansch, Richard Thompson and you’d be on the right track. Its all sewn together though with a classic American psych-folk feel a la Neil Young, Jefferson Airplane etc.
Elkington’s guitar playing is really impressive, laying bare his talent with this great selection of tracks. For a contemporary comparison, Steve Gunn certainly springs to mind, with his rambling style that feels infinitely relaxed whilst also being at the point of erupting into frenzied passages .
It isa thoughtful, and expansive record that deals with themes of fading time and the fear of regret, timeless questions that we all harbour at the back of our minds.
The album is released by Paradise of Bachelors, a fantastic label who are putting out some truly captivating releases at the moment. A bit like Three Lobed Recordings, they are really supporting the whole ‘new weird America’ sound, artists who are rooted in the past but are moving into pastures new of what Americana, or folk music means today.
Noise Compendium 