This week, Nels Cline—the lead guitarist from alt-rock band Wilco—played two shows with jazz guitar virtuoso Julian Lage at the very intimate Royal Room in the Columbia City neighborhood of Seattle and the Source was there.
The duet were promoting their new instrumental album ROOM; a collection of beautiful—and yet temperamental—experimental guitar tracks that apply the seasoned improvisational chops of Cline and the youthful exuberance of Lage; who by age eight was playing with artists like Carlos Santana. Together their two different, yet complimentary, Avant Garde styles made for a wonderful display of rich instrumentation that softened the walls surrounding the seated crowd at The Royal Room.
This Friday Mixtape takes a look at two tracks from ROOM that highlight the pair’s forward thinking approach and its coupling with traditional jazz. Also included are eight other songs that showcase some of the best artists who either have or currently are performing instrumental guitar music. Legends like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Wes Montgomery as well as contemporaries like fingerstyle guitarists Tracy Bundy and Andy McKee. There are also two must-listen-to tracks from Julian Lage’s debut solo album Sounding Point that really show off the young talent’s skills.
After the break, check out 3 & 1/2 minutes of Nels Cline and Julian Lage playing at The Royal Room.
This article appears in Jan 14-21, 2015.
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