RecommNeds | Steve Gunn & Julian Lage

Words By: Aaron Stein

---

The Regulars Edition

---

Black Twig Pickers & Steve Gunn: Seasonal Hire

Steve Gunn is making a habit of hanging around here at RecommNeds HQ. What can I say? the guy has been a steady source of rec-worthy guitar mastery. His newest release, Seasonal Hire, is a collaboration with the Black Twig Pickers, a quartet specializing in old-time Appalachian music. The 5 tracks are a perfect blend of the two styles: dreamlike fugue meets barn dance. Like the rest of Gunn’s music, it’s hypnotic and beautiful, but through a wonderful symbiosis with the banjos and fiddles and washboards and, especially the exotic twang of the mouth harp, it breaks new ground in old places.

Spotify: Steve Gunn – Seasonal Hire

---

Julian Lage: World’s Fair

Another top notch guitar player that’s been making regular appearances in this spot is Julian Lage. After a couple fantastic duo albums in recent months, he returns with World’s Fair, a record of solo instrumental material. If listening to a guitar wunderkind spin beautiful music on a vintage Martin guitar is your cup of tea, this is the album for you. Lage comfortably ambles between jazz and bluegrass styles and techniques, with an easy, carefree vibe that’s tough to resist. This is cozy chair music, so find one and enjoy.

Rdio: http://www.rdio.c om/artist/Ju lian_Lage/album/World%27s_Fair/

Bandcamp: http://julianlage.bandcamp.com/album/worlds-fair

Spotify: Julian Lage – World’s Fair

Rhapsody: http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/julian-lage/album/worlds-fair