Fingers And Thumbs

Adrian Legg's 1999 release, Fingers And Thumbs, delivers plenty of Legg's classic flowing guitar eloquence as well as some quirky detours. The lead track, "Lunchtime at Rosie's," revisits an in-concert favorite from the Adrian Legg/Eric Johnson tours. Recorded with Johnson, bassist Roscoe Beck and drummer Tom Brechtline, it's a runaway train of guitar and rhythm. "Not Remotely Blue" was written in 1974 and promptly abandoned when he realized his Englishness predisposed him to depression rather than any convincing blues. He pulled it out again in 1998 when he "no longer cared"-much to our benefit. Other highlights include "Hymn For Jaco"-which pays tribute to bassist Jaco Pastorius with its solemn aching sweetness, "McPherson"-which calls you out into the Texas sunset with a down-home twang, and "Tracy's Big Moment"-which Adrian revisited after Joe Satriani's encouragement. The album packaging is highlighted by Legg's other artistic passion-photography. And if you've got a CD-ROM, pop the disc in and check out the enhanced images there-a treat for eyes and ears alike.