it makes sense to couple this glistening nug with one of 2012's best albums. peace and love to my friends at Humboldt Relief :)
BEST OF 2012
As pure and nourishing as the initial ray of sunlight on an auspicious day; as wistful as a lucid memory of a departed loved one; and as ephemeral as the leaves of autumn, disintegrating under the weight of time. Within a few seconds of the needle meeting the vinyl, the elegance of Bruce Langhorne's first solo record and the score to Peter Fonda's directorial debut - the cult classic, "The Hired Hand" - is so palpable as to infuse your soul with the gentle touch of a friend. The initial vinyl release from Scissor Tail Editions - operated by Dylan Aycock (Talk West, Mohawk Park, the Doldrums and more) - is the stuff of legends. Recorded in the garage of Langhorne's Laurel Canyon home using an Echoplex and two-track revox tape machine, the music has the property of propinquity - it feels like Bruce is next to you. It is an aesthetic that graces the releases of Scott Tuma. Difficult to compare, this lp will please fans of Sandy Bull and John Fahey. However, i have yet to hear anything quite like it - elegant!
The story of this album is enchanting: Instead of scoring the film in a projection room, Langhorne opted to shoot the film on to a small black and white camera, which he would take home. While watching the film, Langhorne would play along with his beautiful 1920 Martin guitar. His girlfriend would record it and then play it back, allowing Bruce to overdub a variety of instruments such as piano, fiddle, harmonica, Appalachian Dulcimer, banjo, Farfisa organ and recorder.
'The Hired Hand' is a can't miss record. Pressed in a limited edition of 1000 copies on 180 gram vinyl, the cover photo is from Bryan Ruhe and the layout from label proprietor, Dylan Aycock. Anybody interested in this classic may purchase it through Scissor Tail or Tomentosa.
peace and love, friends :)
special thanks to the 2raloo channel on you tube for the video. click here to see other videos of 2raloo
