Glenn Jones reviewed
Glenn Jones
Against Which The Sea Continually Beats
(Strange Attractors)
A recurring theme throughout Glenn Jones’ life is acoustic-guitar architect John Fahey, who reigns supreme on Against Which The Sea Continually Beats.
The luxury afforded modern guitarists is the adaptability of electric guitars not only through specific choices in amplification and effects but down to guitar choice and even the pickups and woods. For the acoustic guitar virtuoso, however, distinction relies solely upon malleability, of which Jones is not lacking. A highly lyrical player despite his dependence upon open chords, he is handicapped none. Jones’ jones for Fahey, however, plays out not in a how-the-hell-d’he-do that but a strict adherence to Anglo folk tradition stopping short of reverence. Barring the occasional foray into Appalachian idioms (“Against My Ruin”), Jones couldn’t be more pliant, blending Old World into New, tangentially butting extra-sensory skill against diligent purism. He dedicates himself to mastery on a downright thrilling listen that threatens to elevate his chosen idiom to renewed prominence.
— Kevin Keegan
Click here to download “Fahey’s Car,” from Jones’ last album This Is The Wind That Blows It Out.
