There is a consistency about the output of some of the smaller labels which enables one to know roughly what to expect. I have yet, for instance, to find a First Heard album that was not to my liking, equally every album I’ve heard from ECM has been musically fresh, highly stimulating and impeccably recorded. This latest by Bill Connors is no exception to the trend.
I can’t tell you anything about Connors except that he’s a beautiful guitarist and composer of themes of great melody and grace. From his photograph on the liner, he’s in his twenties. He plays both orthodox and very electronic styles, with touches of Spanish classicism as in the lovely Child’s Eyes. The depths of his mood playing are quite powerful, making sure that he sustains the whole album alone without ever letting the listener’s attention wander, and he uses a wide variety of effects on electric guitar without ever once impairing the consistent good taste and delicate dynamics of his work.He’s unusual too in that his influences aren’t particularly obvious. The over-dubbing is done gently and unobtrusively (listen to Song For A Crow) so that at times it’s difficult to tell where it occurs. A fine new player, about whom I’d like to know more.
Discography
Theme To The Gaurdian; Child’s Eyes; Song For A Crow; Sad Hero (18 min) – Sea Song; Frantic Desire; Folk Song; My Favourite Fantasy; The Highest Mountain (22½ min)
Bill Connors (gtr). Oslo. 1974.
(ECM1057ST £3.29)
