Kinloch Nelson
‘Partly on Time:
Recordings 1968-1970′
Tompkins Square
Records
The inquisitive
exploration and curiosity are all there. In fact they’ve been there sitting on
guitar wizard Kinloch Nelson’s shelf for 50 years, undisturbed — but
fortunately not forgotten. Though Nelson presents the 12 original songs on
“Partly on Time: Recordings 1968-1970” acoustically, the results can be
electrifying. The way his finger style follows an endless circle is deceptively
simple. Take for example the track “Kittens,” in which Nelson fingerpicks a
swirling pattern while coaxing the mesmerizing melody simultaneously. It’s
positively serpentine. There’s also “Lazin’ in My
Sleep,” in which the listener can’t tell (I couldn’t anyway) if the piece is ascending
or descending, like M.C. Escher set to music. A most excellent, twangin’ soundscape.
Kinloch Nelson’s record release
concert is Saturday, April 6, 8 p.m. at Bop Shop Records, 1460 Monroe Avenue.
$10. 271-3354. bopshop.com.
This article appears in Apr 3-9, 2019.
