Flying

Dave Isaacs is an accomplished guitarist, and a more than capable songwriter, as he's proved with Jackalope. This album shows his instrumental side, and gives him a chance to stretch his guitar chops on a lovely and varied series of pieces, ranging from the jazz inflections of "Front Porch Swing" to an introspective, mellow improvisation, "Winter's Lullaby." Much of the material was made up on the spot, but you'd hardly know it. There's not a seam showing anywhere, as the Ennio Morricone-influenced "The Lonesome Gunslinger Saves the Day" shows. Backed mostly by just bass and drums, it's a record of soundscapes, although a couple of pieces -- "Eighth Avenue" and "Sunrise" -- use layers of guitars and loops. The closer, "Xango," is the closest to a complete band piece, with a strong bass solo from Bob Stander. It's vastly different from Prodigal Son, his previous solo outing, showcasing another side of the man and his talent. Interesting and well worth a listen. ~ Chris Nickson