Details of Jeff Parker's Forfolks set for a pre-Christmas release

Tortoise guitarist Jeff Parker has a solo guitar album entitled Forfolks out a couple of weeks before Christmas, it's been announced. Making the cut are: Thelonious Monk’s 'Ugly Beauty', from Underground, reputed to be the only piece Monk …

Published: 16 Nov 2021. Updated: 2 years.

Tortoise guitarist Jeff Parker has a solo guitar album entitled Forfolks out a couple of weeks before Christmas, it's been announced.

Making the cut are: Thelonious Monk’s 'Ugly Beauty', from Underground, reputed to be the only piece Monk wrote in a 3/4 time signature; the standard 'My Ideal' first recorded by Maurice Chevalier in 1930 and covered by the likes of Chet Baker and Tony Bennett down the years; and half a dozen Parker originals including his mid-1990s-composed 'Four Folks', Isotope 217 tune 'La Jetée' also recorded with Tortoise in the 90s with the new pieces ''loop-driven, stratiform works'' according to Nonesuch who are issuing the release in a partnership with the International Anthem label. Recorded at Jeff's home Sholo Studio in Altadena, California in June 'Suffolk' with its Morse Code-like sense of mysterious urgency in the chatter of overdubs is streaming.

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Nishla Smith, Friends with Monsters, Whirlwind ***

A frustrating listen because the tempi especially in the first half of the album are so slow, too much so, on a lot of these largely original songs. And yet there is quite a lot to like but you will need a very sweet tooth. Aussie singer Nishla …

Published: 16 Nov 2021. Updated: 2 years.

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A frustrating listen because the tempi especially in the first half of the album are so slow, too much so, on a lot of these largely original songs. And yet there is quite a lot to like but you will need a very sweet tooth. Aussie singer Nishla Smith comes across like Stacey Kent even more so when she covers 'It Might As Well Be Spring'. Charming, lyrically strong there however is little darkness with the exception of the fine title track on the menu. Smith's writing is skilful and the singer leads an empathetic band. Very easy to listen to given its preference for the chime and comfort blanket of a major rather than a minor chord trumpeter Aaron Wood makes some knowing contributions and drummer Johnny Hunter is like the sound of a grandfather clock when needed on this sleeplessness-themed affair. The sunny 'Up' is the best track by a mile. SG