Description
Arthur’s Garden is an acoustic instrumental album by the American songwriter, guitarist, and producer Ric Hordinski of Over the Rhine and Monk fame, Kickstarter-funded and independently released in December 2011. Re-issued as a Limited Edition 12-inch vinyl LP by Ol Kentuck Recording in February 2013.
Ric Hordinski first came to our attention as the original guitarist in Over the Rhine, but more recently has produced works out of his own recording studio, The Monastery, for folk like Ellery, David Wilcox and Phil Keaggy. Hordinski has carved out a unique musical space, and his own definitions for the sounds on this album are the following tags: “ambient awesome indie instrumental shoegaze Cincinnati.” I’m sure that’s helpful.
My first exposure to these compositions was hearing them live at his studio for the ‘Arthur’s Garden’ release concert/holiday party, which found him surrounded by two other guitarists, a bassist and a guy who added various minimal percussion, vibe and piano parts. Although he plugged in for the second half, and played some rockin’ Christmas songs, the first set found Hordinski playing acoustically without the aid of a p.a., the audience all leaning forward quietly to hear all the parts. At the very least, in comparison to all the loud live music settings we often experience, ‘Arthur’s Garden’ was presented in an intimate, reflective environment, quite conducive to the music’s gentle tones.
I admit, I’m more prone to enjoy the guitar heroics that show up in the electric side of Hordinski’s musical explorations. Earlier last year I reviewed a Mike Roe concert at the Monastery, where Hordinski opened with a fiery set that featured a great, fun version of Tom Waits’ «Clap Hands», and concluded with a duet with Roe on the Hendrix classic «Little Wing». I have great memories of the energy from that little jam. And I’m grateful for the moments when my friend David Burris was able to convince Hordinski to shred some blistering solos for his «Bad Sines» project that Hordinski produced and arranged.
But left to his own devices, as he is on ‘Arthur’s Garden,’ Ric Hordinski chooses a more gentle, soothing and harmonically interesting path. As he was introducing the songs to the room of fans who’d come knowing they’d have to sit quietly and listen hard to hear all that was going on, he made light of the songs’ titles. «The Penultimate Waltz» opens even though the title suggests it’s going to be next to last, and «Pre-Amble» comes near the end of the record. There is one song with vocal, a collaboration with songwriter and singer Daniel Martin Moore, on «Time Enough».
«The Master Musician», the one song for which he played an electric guitar with an e-bow to simulate the bowing of a violin or cello, he said is an homage to his time working with Phil Keaggy, who’s early monumental instrumental work was called The Master & The Musician.
Throughout ‘Arthur’s Garden,’ Hordinski is playing with modern variations on neo or faux Renaissance chamber guitar music, sometimes with an old world Celtic feel, at others embracing a more precise tempo and a Classical vibe. In all, it’s a delightful sonic journey that emphasizes the nuance and vitality of unique tunings and old world melodic sensibilities. [Brian Newcomb, January 2012, ucc.org]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/arthurs-garden/1640081951)
CD tracklist:
01. The Penultimate Waltz – 3:31
02. Eventide – 3:38
03. A Melody for John – 4:35
04. The Master Musician – 4:08
05. Willow’s Stomp – 4:05
06. My Pretty Bagatelle – 1:17
07. Country Dance – 2:43
08. Chorale – 3:08
09. Pre-Amble – 2:43
10. Time Enough – 3:39
11. Exeunt – 4:08
Note: Re-issued in February 2013 by Ol Kentuck Recording as a Limited Edition 12-inch vinyl LP (only 300 pressed). Available at Bandcamp: https://richordinski.bandcamp.com/album/arthurs-garden
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.