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NIGEL GAVIN: Visitation

After 30 years of acoustic guitar playing, I'm a sucker for the sound, and even more so anything that's slightly different. Nigel Gavin has been something of a guitar journeyman, associated with numerous different performers and genres, including the outstanding guitar orchestra Gitbox Rebellion, and such singer-songwriters as Ross Mullins and Wayne Gillespie. Adding to his anthology, he has presented us with a tasty instrumental album of solo acoustic guitar, beautifully played and sensitively recorded with a skill that captures the atmosphere of the performances. I couldn't help drawing comparisons with the innovative style of the likes of Phil Keaggy and Michael Hedges. Self-released, recording was undertaken at 'Thrum Kitchens' in Auckland and Wellington's Braeburn Studios, where it was also mastered by Robbie Duncan. Worthy of note are the instruments Gavin uses; an 11-string Godin Glissentar, and a 7-string guitar made by Northland luthier Laurie Williams. Some of the tracks have a somewhat experimental feel, creating textures diversely reminiscent of flamenco, or Japanese Koto, with much more inbetween. I could imagine much of this material being utilised to evoke atmospheric ambience so prized by film makers.

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