Definately a case of "does what it says on the tin". Three long solo pieces for banjo. Not sure what the modifications are, but then I have very little idea what an unmodified banjo would sound like. Often busy, driving improvisations, not quite duelling banjos, but certainly full of energy most of the time. Not too different from solo guitar, but with the higher register and twang giving it a classical or spanish guitar feel, especially with the little trills, and the precussive element added by the fingers or plectrum hitting the body of the banjo. Certainly enough going on to sustain interest over the nearly 60 minute running time. The sound of the banjo is surprisingly easy to listen to, I would perhaps have expected it to be more grating or tiring. Like this quite a bit. It's an interesting companion to the large amounts of solo guitar work I've been listening to recently and sits very well alongside the likes of John Fahey, Jack Rose and Steffen Basho-Junghans.'Three Improvisations On Modified Banjo' was released on Low's Chairkicker's Union label in 2005.
Paul Metzger
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