Jim Earp
|
|
|
Review of "Smiles To Go"
|
By: Jerry Chamberlain
im Earp gives a honed, rich, warm tone and a percussive, edgy attack on his latest solo
instrumental collection, "Smiles To Go". His fingerstyle method of guitar playing
incorporates a beautiful cascade of clearly defined notes within a layered melodic
backdrop. This is big deal stuff as it's on par with Phil Keaggy's instrumental acoustic
projects. Earp's influences include Leo Kottke, Alex De Grassi, Pierre Bensusan and
Bruce Cockburn. As if that isn't impressive enough, he built his own custom rosewood
six-string cutaway in Bozo (not the clown) Podunavac's School of Luthiery in 1981, and
a fine steel string baby it is. He effectively employs various open tunings, usually
capoed, on the 13 originals plus covers of two old hymns ("Simple Gifts" and "Softly
and Tenderly"). Earp has received ink in Guitar Player Magazine, Fingerstyle Guitar
Magazine, Acoustic Musician and Folk Roots (London). He's shared the stage with
artists from Newsboys to Switchfoot and general market artists from Iron Butterfly to
Jewel.
"Smiles To Go" is Earp's fourth installment, preceded by his initial and sophomore cassette-only
singer/songwriter outings (Bob Bennett/Bruce Cockburn style) and 1996's Rosewood CD,
nominated for "Best Local Recording" in the San Diego Music Awards. He's also got a cut on
Solid Air Records' Acoustic Guitar Highlights Vol. II alongside Elton John and
McCartney/Wings sidemen Davey Johnstone and Laurence Juber.
Needless to say, this guy is good.
|
©
Jerry Chamberlain / CCM Magazine
|
|
