STYLE... Avant Instrumental

I freely improvised this music on "Grendel", my late 40's Silvertone acoustic guitar, so-called due to its monstrous implications. Like the mythical beast that bears its namesake, Grendel is big, ugly and dangerous - to play it is to do battle with it. For me, this project is about seeing opportunities within disadvantages. To that end, I intentionally recorded in mono on an ailing reel-to-reel deck. It suits the primal nature of this piece at the expense of audio quality. This recording is an attempt to document my relationship with Grendel in a single, multi-movement free-improvisation focusing on personal, idiosyncratic performance techniques and practices - all of which came about in my effort to get as much out of Grendel as possible.

REVIEWS...

"Grendel is the follow-up to the CD Eric Wallack released under the Vermis moniker (see AI #21) and consists of a continuous steel string Silvertone acoustic guitar solo performance with no overdubbing. Eric notes that he intentionally recorded Grendel "in mono on an ailing reel-to-reel tape deck because it suits the primal nature of this piece at the expense of audio quality". Personally I can detect no loss of audio quality. It sounds great and I can easily discern all the subtle tones and harmonics produced by the Silvertone, even in it's quietest moments. Grendel is the follow-up to the CD Eric Wallack released under the Vermis moniker (see AI #21) and consists of a continuous steel string Silvertone acoustic guitar solo performance with no overdubbing. Eric notes that he intentionally recorded Grendel "in mono on an ailing reel-to-reel tape deck because it suits the primal nature of this piece at the expense of audio quality". Personally I can detect no loss of audio quality. It sounds great and I can easily discern all the subtle tones and harmonics produced by the Silvertone, even in it's quietest moments.

Like Vermis, Grendel showcases Eric's brand of guitar improvisation that draws on influences ranging from Fahey/Kottke, jazz, Blues, and a variety of avant-garde free-improv stylings. But I found Grendel to be a far more passionate work, owing much perhaps to the focus on his subject. One thing that jumped out at me while listening to Grendel, and this hit me far more than Vermis did, is what a skilled musician Eric is. He does an excellent job of cranking out creative and interesting free-improv techniques while at all times demonstrating what an expressive artist and proficient musician he is. At times I imagined an avant-garde version of Michael Hedges. But there are as many quiet moments as there is fast paced intensity, and Eric communicates with as much beauty and passion in either realm, which really gives the feel of the multi-movement piece that he set out to do.

In summary, this is one of my favorites of the many free-improv recordings I heard in 2002. Eric excels at creating avant-garde music that also manages to be highly accessible, providing just enough bits of traditional styles to appeal to the curious music fan who is unaccustomed to free-improvisation, but also offers much to delight the veteran listener. Recommended. Be sure and read the review this issue of Eric's duet recording with Bret Hart." --Jerry Kranitz, From Aural Innovations #22 (January 2003)

"We reviewed some of Eric's works in issue # 59, and enjoyed them very muchly! This outing is named after his 1940's model Silvertone flattop... it was recorded "virgin", on an ancient reel-to-reel. He indicated that the sound quality might have suffered a bit because of that... & while that is true, to a degree, Wallack's musical intentions/inventions are crystal clear! The music is laid-back & inspiring (all) at the same time! His album art is fantastic this time around, with credit listings, an "inside" jacket & a definite sense of "telling his story" (something I think is greatly important for a home recording artist). His improvisations move along at rapid pace, & I am reminded (in many ways) of some of the earlier guitar works I've heard (my friend) Ernesto Diaz-Infante doing (EDI, you need to get in touch with this guy; ed). The percussives are rampant, & bring on lucid images of th' guy disciplining his guitar (heh! heh!). There is a lot to be absorbed here, so you need to do it with yer' 'phones on! I am more & more impressed each time I listen to Eric's improvisations... free & loose, a spirit that will fan th' flames! This CD gets our MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for all fans of music with high creativity! " --Dick Metcalf, From Improvijazzation Nation Issue # 60

IF YOU LIKE THIS, TRY...

Eric Wallack
vermis

Bret Hart / John Jasnoch
Improvised Duets - Volume One

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