Sandy Shalk - Newer Every Day (2014) Lossless

Sandy Shalk is something of a renaissance man who's played jazz and pop professionally, taught high school, and written books. More recently, after attending the Swannanoa guitar camp and studying with El McMeen, he began arranging for solo steel-string guitar, which he plays on "Newer Every Day." Shalk's relaxed approach recalls McMeen, although jazzier. He plays standards like "Blue Monk", "Round Midnight", "Take Five", "Georgia on My Mind", and "God Bless the Child" in a style that's gentle and accessible, but also adventurous. His selection of Duke Ellington's "Black and Tan Fantasy" and Bix Beiderbecke's "Davenport Blues" reveals the depth of his interest in jazz, which, according to his website, extends back to his teens. Pieces from other genres, such as the hymn "Be Thou My Vision" and Carolan's "Blind Mary", further display Shalk's emphasis on lyricism over flashy playing. In other words, Sandy Shalk is a romantic. There's no better example of this than "My One and Only Love," which features a sensitively articulated melody and moving voices in the midrange and bass registers. He takes the same approach with the traditional Scottish tune, "Arran Boat Song." Sandy Shalk is a fully realized musician who expresses rather than merely plays. His playing both sooths and swings, displaying both individual artistry and sensitivity to his listeners. I intend to listen to this lovely recording frequently and stay on the watch for more music from Sandy Shalk.