Melodies/Improvisations

Folk-jazz is a good description of Dan Lambert's third CD in as many years, Melodies/Improvisations. Folk, for the earthiness and richness of the melodies, Jazz, for the improvisational aspect of his guitar playing. The layered guitars of Lambert's previous two releases, "The Clearing" and "Plaids", have been replaced by a solo guitar, so you get to enjoy the fingerstylist by himself, in an intimate setting, just like one of his live shows. Lambert's playing on Melodies/Improvisations has a hypnotic simplicity that quietly captures you, as well as an underlying sophistication that holds you there, listening for which direction the musical journey will take. The styles flow over and around each other like eddies in a high mountain stream. Sometimes the movement is fast, turbulent, convoluted - at other points, cool and clear with barely a ripple in its glass surface. This is music that is easy to wander through, easy to lose yourself in.