Rituals and Pastimes is a solo guitar effort from Iain
Chambers. Chambers started playing guitar in Southampton (UK) in his late teens. He didn't hear John Fahey's music until much later after being introduced to it by a friend. Discovering Fahey opened the door to the range of influences running through the so called Takoma School (Fahey's circle of fellow American Primitives) from Charlie Patton to Bartok. He particularly admired Charlie Patton's use of slide – how his music seemed focused and aggressive.
Let’s get to a song or two…I know the title says “Port
Authority Bus Station Blues” but this is a guitar calling me from a hidden
cave on a craggy mountain top. It calls me to seek it out, scrambling up the
mountain side to seat myself at its feet with my questions, and when it is done I
can’t remember the answers or even the questions, only the journey. Then “Ed Mark” issues forth from the mountain
again on track five, calling me back with the lure of the slide, I can’t
resist.
Chambers shifts easily in tempo, style and approach
throughout the effort and within the songs themselves. It’s not a quick and simple listen, it’s not
background music, it’s not slick and glossy…that’s why it’s a good one.
LISTEN:
