While Tim Brady’s three previous Ambiances Magnétiques releases were all focused more on his work as a composer, GO [Guitar Obsession] brings the guitar back to centre stage, making it clear why Guitar Player Magazine has named the Montréal-based composer and musician “one of the 30 most important guitarists for the future of the instrument”.

The goal of the CD was to create a recording focused primarily on Brady’s guitar playing and composing, rather than on complex studio technology. Overdubbing, looping and computer processing were part of the production process, but they always take a back seat to the sound and texture of a solo guitar performance.

The first three pieces on the CD are updated versions of pieces which Brady composed over 20 years ago. GO [Guitar Obsession] is a fast, jazz-tinged loop piece; Yellow, Add Green is a deconstructed blues with overdubs and While Softly Sounds is a beautiful solo guitar ballad. Frame 22: Switch is a new work, for guitar and live electronics, moving from rock-tinged clusters to abstract electronics to a haunting, melismatic melody.

The work of four other composers is also an important part of this recording, underscoring Brady’s strong commitment to developing his vision of the electric guitar as a solo instrument in collaboration with other artists. Le Chants des baleines by Jean-François Laporte and unplugged by Alexander Burton where both commissioned by Brady, while Vampyr!, by French Tristan Murail, is a work dating from 1986. The CD ends with the quiet, reflective work Bobby J, by British composer Laurence Crane.

TIM BRADY

1. GO

TIM BRADY

2. Yellow, Add Green

TIM BRADY

3. As Softly Sounds

TIM BRADY

4-8. Frame 22: Switch

JEAN-FRANÇOIS LAPORTE

9. Le Chant des baleines

ALEXANDRE BURTON

10. unplugged

TRISTAN MURAIL

11. Vampyr!

LAURENCE CRANE

12. Bobby J