CONTEMPORARY CLASSICAL

Conservatory trained classical guitarist Trevor Babb picked up his old Stratocaster and laid down a fascinating mix of avant-garde performances. Each piece is multiple electric guitar tracks overlaid into intricate counterpoint and dense harmonies. I highly recommend reading the artist’s notes inside the case for additional helpful info.

All instrumental; no FCC issues.

Originally composed for Pat Metheny by famed minimal composer, Steve Reich, this three-movement work goes fast-slow-fast, like a concerto. Babb performs a live lead guitar part atop a recorded orchestral backing of 12 guitar and two bass guitar parts.
1 ** Fast. Bright, bell-like tone on distinctly heard lead guitar. Lively & energetic. (6:52)
2 ** Mid-slow. Many interweaving guitar parts. Lovely, delightful piece. (3:22)
3 * Fast. Crisp tone. Little melodic phrase goes ‘round & ‘round. Complex. (4:30)


4 Mid-slow. Dreamy, impressionist. Cross-fading many melodic & harmonic parts. (10:14)
5 ** Mid-slow. A dominant lead part, aggressively flat-picked with an amped up rock-guitar tone, hopscotches up, down, and through the chord progression. (6:52)
6 Slow. Low, buzzy notes form a bottom continuo. High-pitched overtones, added in sequence, form complex chords. Edgy, meditative. (6:49)
7 * Very slow. The strangest, most experimental piece. Four guitars are modified, de-tuned, e-bowed. Result is quite a wild ride. RIYL the truly avant-garde or Day of Noise. (7:50)
8 VERY slow. Quiet strums; long sustained tones; gradual introduction of noises. (14:20)