Michael McClintock brings the soul on his solo guitar album ‘Here and There’.
Michael McClintock – Here and There
A whole instrumental album can be difficult to begin and gather direction, but ‘Waiting for You’ whisks us away without a second thought, into an acoustic trance likely set somewhere in the south of France on a quiet southbound train. The soft undertones with the fierce picking encapsulate the ears during the middle stint of the song.
‘For Tom’, builds on the first track and keeps the listener in a cosy haze of good feeling and easy travels – whether that be on foot, on transportation or in the mind. A more playful, troublesome tone kicks off ‘Galiano’, with a race afoot between the baseline and the overlaying guitar. This tone is brought to a halt at the beginning of ‘Marada’ completely stripping it back.
An almost cinematic rhythm is maintained at the core of ‘Big Sugar (For Chuck)’. A really. Light smooth track that demands attention for its entirety with subtle directions making a blissful repetition. This song takes the title of Track to Come Back to.
‘From Zurich to Topeka’, ‘St. Matthew’ and ‘For Mark work together to blend different atmospheres seamlessly up to a crescendo point at the end of ‘For Mark’ where the listener is on the edge of their seat as the silence takes hold.
‘2 Years’ is a gorgeous track that encapsulates aspects of blues and soul. So many rises and falls overlayed with captivating riffs. A lovely, melodic yet experimental feel. The longest track on the album, but somehow it felt as if it was still not enough. This takes the title of my Track to Think About.
‘Surprising Answers’ sets a calm atmosphere before ‘Matancera’ comes and blows the rest of the album out of the water and turns on a dime. A completely new rhythm and emotion are expressed through the Mediterranean melody and powerful, arrogant thrashing guitars that overplay it. A very powerful bold track that encapsulates any listener.
‘Adieu’ is the perfect farewell as the name intends it to be. A soft lullaby holds the audience and drifts us away into peaceful bliss. A fitting ending to a sensational album.
The title of the album is very fitting as throughout it feels as if directions change and the listener is meant to be taken on a journey of their own choosing, coming and going here, there and everywhere.
‘A true delight for guitar players far and wide and a real advocating album, it will make you want to start learning the guitar as soon as you’re finished soaking in the mastery on display.’
Discover more from Michael McClintock
Discover more on Right Chord Music
- Daniela Galasso Keeps You Warm With ‘Embers’ (Acoustic)
- Neverbody Gently Hypnotise On First Light Instrumental
- Sire Unveils Instrumental EP Koyot
- Are We Stuck In The Past? Why Music Marketing Needs a 21st Century Overhaul
Words by Thomas Pressley Hitchcock
