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  Kenneth Johnston 
  Music from New Gomorrah
  (Self-released) 

   review by Phil Zampino
  2006-03-01
Kenneth Johnston: Music from New Gomorrah (Self-released)

Strong and dynamic solo guitar playing with a delta blues and eastern flavor. All compositions are by Johnston, a mixture of acoustic and electric guitar pieces, mostly directly recorded with some multi-track work, and a couple of unusual pieces for prepared guitar and space echo. Johnston is associated with the Curable Interns project, a collaboration between contemporary musicians and artists from the the New Gomorrah Territorial Library and Historical Archive, and has previously released albums with that project. As the title of this release implies, many of the pieces carry a middle eastern flavor that works well with his technical skills. Johnston states his favorite album as Captain Beefheart's Trout Mask Replics and it's not a stretch to hear that source from the unusual directions the album takes. Still he can't pull himself away from simply beautiful playing that at times recalls John Lee Hooker or Andy Bole's work. A compelling record for casual listening that keeps drawing your attention.





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