Ralph Towner – At First Light (2023) [FLAC 24bit/96kHz]

Ralph Towner – At First Light (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 44:06 minutes | 721 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © ECM

An ECM artist for his entire musical career, US guitarist Ralph Towner has built up a unique body of work in his recordings for the label.

Central to his oeuvre are his solo albums, the first of which, Diary, was issued 50 years ago. At First Light extends this great tradition, drawing inspiration from a broad palette of music. “My solo recordings have always included my own compositions in which there are trace elements of the many composers and musicians that have attracted me,” writes Towner in a liner note, citing the influence of, among others, George Gershwin, John Coltrane, John Dowland and Bill Evans: “I feel that At First Light is a good example of shaping this expanse of influences into my personal music.”

In addition to his own pieces, Towner also plays Hoagy Carmichael’s “Little Old Lady”, Jule Styne’s “Make Someone Happy” and the traditional tune “Danny Boy.”

Recorded at Auditorio Stelio Molo RSI, Lugano, in February 2022, At First Light was produced by Manfred Eicher.50 years after the release of Diary, which was Ralph Towner’s first solo album for the ECM label, he returns, guitar in hand, for a triumph of acoustic minimalism. With At First Light, which he recorded in February 2022, the eighty-something year old American expanded his relationship with the classical guitar by crossing the boundaries between jazz, classical music and folk. “My solo recordings have always included my own compositions, in which there are trace elements of the composers and musicians that have attracted me over the years. Musicians such as George Gershwin, John Coltrane, John Dowland, Bill Evans… to name a few. The blend of keyboard and guitar techniques is an important aspect of my playing and composition, and I feel that this album is a good example of shaping this expanse of influences into my personal music.” Everything here is totally clear; no note oversteps its role, there is no eccentric improvisation, no clouds darken the horizon. This being said, clear is never synonymous with plain for Ralph Towner; on the contrary. He is such a master of his instrument that we can ONLY concentrate on the music and the multitude of tones he presents, nothing else. His playing takes us by the hand and doesn’t let go. We follow him with closed eyes and a gentle smile on our faces… – Marc Zisman

Tracklist:

1-1. Ralph Towner – Flow (05:07)
1-2. Ralph Towner – Strait (04:56)
1-3. Ralph Towner – Make Someone Happy (03:53)
1-4. Ralph Towner – Ubi Sunt (04:46)
1-5. Ralph Towner – Guitarra Piccante (04:25)
1-6. Ralph Towner – At First Light (04:44)
1-7. Ralph Towner – Danny Boy (03:40)
1-8. Ralph Towner – Fat Foot (03:49)
1-9. Ralph Towner – Argentinian Nights (01:41)
1-10. Ralph Towner – Little Old Lady (03:17)
1-11. Ralph Towner – Empty Stage (03:43)

Download:

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