Atsumasa Nakabayashi Trio - Melody of Japan (Denon, ALS-4049) 中林淳真ギター三重奏団 - 日本のメロディ

"Atsumasa Nakabayashi was born in Tokyo in 1927. He began his musical studies in Japan, with the teacher Yasumasa Obara, and perfected the technique and interpretation of the guitar in Spain under the leadership of Narciso Yepes and Jose Luis Gonzalez. In 1958 he won the 1st. Prize of the International Guitar Competition in Tokyo, and was awarded by the Ambassador of Spain. In 1964 he appeared at Carnegie Hall in New York, as the first Japanese guitarist to hold this site. Invited by the Department of Cultural Affairs of Cuba, gave recitals in Havana and Santiago de Cuba. In 1984 he won the 1st. Composition Competition Prize Morishige Takei held annually in Tokyo for his suite "Dance No. 1". (Source)

A lovely survey of classic Japanese melodies arranged & performed by Nakabayashi's excellent guitar trio. Release date currently unknown. I was also unable to find the tracklist (in Japanese or English) transcribed anywhere, online. Japanese speakers, your assistance with this would be greatly appreciated. Is my observation correct that a Nakabayashi CD of the same name; 日本のメロディ, seems to have an entirely different tracklist? Enjoy!

Atsumasa Nakabayashi Trio - Melody of Japan (Denon, ALS-4049)

320 mp3 + Flac

"Nippon No Merodei"

Peter Finger – Bottleneck Guitar Solos (Kicking Mule, KM 116 *1973)

"...[A] few guitarists took the flame [John Fahey] had lit and brought it to new places, discovering new territories for the guitar just as he had. One of those was Peter Finger. With about 85 pounds of technique in his namesakes, this man could play the shit out of the guitar. And such a restless spirit, continually challenging himself and looking for new sounds to draw out of the guitar" (Wrath of the Grapevine)

The excellent first LP from German-born guitarist Peter Finger, recorded for Kicking Mule Records when he was just 19. Teutonic or not, I'm inclined to file this one under the banner of "American Primitive", as his bottleneck sound is lyrical & authentic. Then again, authentic is a mighty loaded word, so let's just settle on honest. Finger plays it honest, with a cadence and expressive flair unbothered by plain virtuosity. Not too Windham Hill either. Big thanks to David H for putting this one on my plate. 320 vinyl rip by yours truly.

Download Link: Peter Finger – Bottleneck Guitar Solos (Kicking Mule, 1973 *KM 116)

A1 Blues For The Rhine 3:00
A2 Rattlesnake Shake 1:46
A3 Newborn Yet To Come 2:23
A4 The Fox Hunt 1:32
A5 Homecoming 1:25
A6 Dancing In The Streets 2:05
A7 Barn Dance 1:48
A8 Night Falls While The Day Breaks 3:58
B1 Told You So 2:11
B2 Desert Trot 3:09
B3 Tribute To Jellyroll Baker 1:20
B4 Karen's Blues 2:00
B5 Second Love 3:02
B6 Hard Road To The Left 1:58
B7 Transeuropean Express 1:55
B8 Don't Cry For You Baby 2:40

Backwards Sam Firk- The True Blues and Gospel of Backwards Sam Firk (Adelphi, 1968)

"In the early 1960s, Mike Stewart adopted the professional name of Backwards Sam Firk. "My dad used to call me Backwards Sam because my initials are MAS," he explained. He recorded for the private label of the eccentric Maryland record collector Joe Bussard in the early 60s, on his own, with John Fahey and in impromptu groups.

Mike's pseudonym came to wider notice in the late 1960s when he was associated with Gene Rosenthal's Adelphi Records, an independent Blues label based in Silver Spring, Maryland. The first item in its catalog was his album "The True Blues & Gospel of Backwards Sam Firk," consisting of scrupulous interpretations of repertoire learned from Mississippi John Hurt, Bo Carter, Big Bill Broonzy and other Blues masters of the 1920s and 30s" (Myspace)

The woefully out-of-print 1968 debut LP from Mike Stewart, aka Backwards Sam Firk. This was first release for DC/Maryland's classic Adelphi Records label. Firk's fingerpicking prowess is considerable. The legendary John Hurt's pacing and influence rings through loud & clear on a good many of these renditions. I must admit I tend to prefer the instrumentals, here. I also encourage folks to pursue Sam Firk's mid-60s work with Joe Bussard and John Fahey on Fonotone Records of Frederick, MD. And if you ever find yourself out that way, I'd also recommed you pay visit to Bussard's favorite burger spot: Barbara Fritchies. That place has flavor to spare. Just sayin'. Enjoy the Backwards Sam, friends.....



Download Link: Backwards Sam Firk- The True Blues and Gospel of Backwards Sam Firk (Adelphi, 1968) 320kbps.

A1 I'm Glad Blues 1:57
A2 East St. Louis Dry Land Blues 2:30
A3 Hey Hey Hey 3:05
A4 Cigarette 1:51
A5 Candy Man Blues 3:31
A6 If You Don't Want Me That Freight Train Whistle's Gonna Blow, Momma 2:12
A7 Old Reliable One-Way Gal 3:21
A8 Be Ready When He Comes 1:54
B1 Old Country Dump 2:50
B2 Get Back Old Devil 2:14
B3 Poor Boy, Long Ways From Home 3:28
B4 West Side Blues 2:19
B5 I Be's Troubled 3:53
B6 Babe's Piece 2:51
B7 Fixin' To Die 2:44
B8 The Unbroken Circle 1:59

Steve Gunn- S/T (Self-Released CD-R, 2007)

Totally zoning to this early solo outing from Brooklyn-based guitarist Steve Gunn. Fans of American primitive picking à la Jack Rose or Robbie Basho might want to give Mr. Gunn the time-of-day. Self-released on CD-R in 2007, I'd been looking high & low for this one. Big ups to Owl (as ever) for the hook-up.



DL: Steve Gunn- S/T (Self-Released CD-R, 2006)

1. Ai 4:28
2. Osiris Jones 5:35
3. Rose 6:13
4. Crystal Mysteries 7:13