EN SE DE

  • Along The Anchorline

    RADDIG-13

    Artist: The Skip Heller Trio

    Label: Ropeadope Digital

    Strictly speaking, this probably shouldn't be filed under "jazz", but skip HAS been called the "greatest living jazz guitarist in America (Jazztimes), so it probably will. but it really shouldn't. like the best American music, much of which was made right in the same room where this recording took place, has always had a hard time when it comes to classification. same with skip. In our conversations preceding and during the sessions, Skip and I would find ourselves trying to describe the special hold on our imaginations that artists like Charlie Rich, Pops Staples, John Hartford, The Masqueraders (look 'em up), Louis Armstrong, Elvis Presley, Shirley Scott and so many (and yet so few) others have had (all of who rercorded in the same room that skip did when he made this new recording). skip would say things like "atistry always defies explanation". as if he has to explain? Skip Heller is a bad-ass guitar player but to me, calling skip a guitar player, or musician is limiting. he is an artist like Pollack or Picasso, and this record is gonna show you why (and how).

  • Mean Things Happen In This Land

    RADDIG-02

    Artist: The Skip Heller Trio

    Label: Ropeadope Digital

    "File Under: Jazz guitar from the Left Coast. Time Out New York calls Skip: "an American guitar hero," while All About Jazz calls him a "genius." We just call him whenever we want fantabulous music. This album (Skip's 12th!) is influenced by British calypso, Stevie Wonder, Sergio Mendes, Hawaiian guitarists, Jeff Beck, The Band, Hurricane Katrina and his wife. Skip covers XTC, Ani DiFranco, Si Kahn (look it up!) and lays down some Skip Heller originals. It clearly proves Skip's place amongst not only the top jazz guitarists in this country, but also as one of the deepest thinkers, poets and artists out there right now. Get with Skip."