Chris Proctor
Under the Influence
© 2000 Chris Proctor (783707279725)
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Creative and dynamic arrangements of music from diverse sources for solo steel-string guitar
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In his own words: "I decided that I did not want a 'cover' CD as such, and would only record pieces which lent themselves to arrangements that could be both familiar and original. I wanted people to enjoy the pleasures that great recognizable music provides and be transported to new terrain at the same time."
Chris has advanced the arts of fingerstyle guitar technique and composition with each recording, but with the stunning release Under the Influence in 2000 he raised the bar on arranging as well, focusing on the music of his formative listening years. He found ways not only to pay homage to each song's origins, but also to take us into territory beyond that of standard Americana or normal tribute albums. With Under the Influence, the familiarity of the material welcomes us as Proctor's singular arrangements surprise us.
Chris has always been known for his remarkable body of original works for six- and twelve-string guitar, his trademark counterpoint and inner voices, his technical wizardry and his pioneering use of the E-bow and guitar mutes. In Under the Influence, he interpreted songs from across the musical spectrum, preserving the distinct flavor of each piece with his senses of taste, economy, and proportion, while far surpassing its musical and emotional impact.
Recorded in a pristine audiophile setting, Under the Influence takes us for a swim in the diverse waters of Proctor's musical youth. We surf waves of 60's and 70's folk, the timeless and elegant Baroque constructions of J.S. Bach, driving Irish jigs and haunting slow airs, bluegrass and Appalachian string band tunes, and treatments of guitar pieces from steel string titans Leo Kottke and John Fahey, all of which provide substance to the "Instrumental Americana" descriptive which critics use so often to try and capture his style. High points of the recording include:
"Nights in White Satin," the CD's amazing opening song, begins with Chris's unmistakable E-bow work and evolves into an emotional tour-de-force of guitar technique, musical interpretation, and arranging skill.
"Ohio," Neil Young's lament for the students killed during the Kent State unrest of 1970, showcases Proctor's fingerboard-tapping wizardry, and packs a musical punch that even eclipses the original.
"Bach to Ireland" treats us to a medley from Bach's Brandenburg Concerto VI, as well as two beautiful, up-tempo jigs, "Cunla" and "Merrily Kiss the Quaker's Wife," somehow making the Baroque-Celtic pairing not simply work, but even seem inevitable.
Proctor ventures effortlessly from Jethro Tull's "Nothing is Easy," the Beatles' "Hey Jude" and "Martha My Dear" to Byron Berline's signature fiddle tune, "The Huckleberry Hornpipe," and a wonderful revisiting of Leo Kottke's classic, "The Sailor's Grave," displaying his unique palette of folk, classical, jazz, and pop sensibilities along the way.
Chris's Resume:
Recordings, Publications, DVD's and Videos
Recordings:
The Chris Proctor Collection, Sugarhouse Records, October 2003
Sounds of Wood and Steel III. Windham Hill Records, August 2003
Under the Influence. Sugarhouse Records, October 2000
Only Now. Flying Fish/Rounder Records, March 1997
Travelogue. Flying Fish Records, February 1994
The Delicate Dance/Runoff. CD re-release, Flying Fish Records, June 1993
Steel String Stories. Flying Fish Records, November 1990
Windham Hill Guitar Sampler. Windham Hill Records, May 1988
His Journey Home. Flying Fish Records, October 1988
The Delicate Dance. Flying Fish Records, July 1985
Runoff. Kicking Mule Records, January 1983
Publications and Videos:
Techniques for Contemporary 12-String Guitar. Homespun DVD/Video, June 2003
Fingerstyle 2000. Mel Bay, February 2000
Fingerstyle Guitar Masterpieces. Acoustic Guitar, October 1999
Only Now. Mel Bay, February 1998
Contemporary Fingerstyle Workshop with Chris Proctor. Homespun Video, October 1996
Travelogue. Mel Bay, November 1995
Fingerstyle Magic. Mel Bay, July 1995
Windham Hill Guitar Sampler. Hal Leonard, January 1995
Runoff. Kicking Mule, June 1983
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Endorsements:
Chris plays, endorses, and demonstrates Taylor guitars at clinics across the country. He also endorses GHS strings, Rane acoustic guitar preamps and Alaska Piks.
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Great CD
author: Tom HemmelgarnI really liked the interpretation of familiar songs especially Nights in White Satin