{"product_id":"chuck-johnson-velvet-arc","title":"Chuck Johnson - Velvet Arc","description":"Chuck Johnson has cemented his reputation as a master of solo guitar with his critically acclaimed solo albums ‰ÛÏCrows in the Basilica‰۝ (Three Lobed, 2013) and ‰ÛÏBlood Moon Boulder‰۝ (Scissor Tail, 2015) perfecting his modernist style of American fingerpicking over the course of those two albums.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‰ÛÏVelvet Arc‰۝ finds Johnson returning to territory he explored in bands like Idyll Swords and Spatula, utilizing an expanded lineup of like-minded musicians to augment his captivating guitar stylings including drummer Alex Vittum \u0026amp; bassist Ben Bracken on most tracks.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‰ÛÏVelvet Arc‰۝ finds Johnson fading into view with opening track ‰ÛÏAs I Stand Counting‰۝, it‰۪s desert-dusted guitar raga appearing like a mirage as the rhythm section rises in the mix. Similarly, ‰ÛÏEverything at Once‰۝s picks \u0026amp; strums hang in the air buoyed by the steady swells of crashing cymbals \u0026amp; bass. Side A closer ‰ÛÏAnamet‰۝ may sound familar to fans - the tune is a re-working of ‰ÛÏPrivate Violence‰۝ from ‰ÛÏBlood Moon Boulder‰۝, with added cello, a long synth outro, and a more psychedelic mix overall. Johnson‰۪s tenacity \u0026amp; constant evolution as a musician is representative in this track alone; he is an artist constantly in flux, refining \u0026amp; reworking like any good craftsman. Side B features more of Johnson‰۪s lauded fingerpicking style on tracks like ‰ÛÏVelvet Arc‰۝, ‰ÛÏRoadside Auspice‰۝ \u0026amp; ‰ÛÏThe Pace‰۝, while album closer ‰ÛÏMiddle Water‰۝ hums along contentedly with violin by Marielle Jakobsons.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‰ÛÏVelvet Arc‰۝ is an album finding Johnson playing at the top of his game, unafraid to re-evaluate \u0026amp; redefine himself any chance he can get.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRIYL: John Fahey, Solar Motel Band, Steve Gunn, Daniel Bachman, Gun Outfit","brand":"South Records Ltd","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":64322588836217,"sku":null,"price":11.89,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0973\/1463\/6153\/files\/chuck-johnson-velvet-arc-south-records-ltd_463b5858-a148-475a-b7e0-3197d5227591.jpg?v=1787902344","url":"https:\/\/vinyl-relic.com\/products\/chuck-johnson-velvet-arc","provider":"My Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}