Back
in the 80s I produced a CD from a Swedish guitarist called Lasse
England for my then fledgling record label Breakthru' Records. Called
Anchor, this early CD release from 1987 was an acclaimed New
Age instrumental music hit on radio and in print. Now, 20+ years later,
in 2009, England born / Nashville based guitarist Michael Spriggs
has recorded an album, called Neurasenia that from my perspective
is a kindred spirit to Anchor. Like that recording, Michael's
record is a soothing sonic tapestry with excellent state of the art
recording sound. Back in 1987, New Age as it came to be defined by
some smart alec record company guy no doubt, was all the rage as instrumental
music stepped into its role, especially seeing as the CD had
just conquered the audio industry. Of course, now we have downloads
and a country of online records stores, less preferable in my opinion
to actual CDs, although thankfully many musicians still see the purpose
of CD and some, especially the kids who missed it the first time around
are even going back to vinyl after all these years! On his 2009 CD,
Neurasenia, guitarist extraordinaire Michael Spriggs fully
explores the realms of New Age and assorted acoustic guitar instrumentals
as well as an elegant, meditative form of modern neoclassical guitar
playing in places. With a low key electronica backdropand the
tasteful accompaniement of Jonathan Yudkin (violin, mandolin,
viola, cello), Spady Brannen (bass) and Tommy Harden (percussion)Spriggs
brings his meditative guitar sound into focus. A brilliant musical
statment, Neurasenia serves as a great follow up to Michaels
critically acclaimed 2001 album Without Words. In the CD liner
notes, Spriggs describes the title of the album adding, Neurasenia
is the sum total of all that we are as human beings. It is the essence
of our life force from the moment of our birth to this very second.
Simply put it is our being-ness. Overall, that description
seems very well suited for the meditative essence of the Neurasenia
album. Since relocating to Nashville from Buffalo, N.Y.where
he grew up and started his career playing in rock groups at age 14Spriggs
has done sessions with some of the best of Nashvilles country
and pop music. An album that owes more to the Windham Hill sound of
the 80s New Age and 'Quiet Storm' formats than to Country music
per se, Neurasenia will mostly appeal to guitar fans and music
fans who enjoy Chet Atkins as well as Will Ackerman and Lasse Englund
for that matter! That rare musical element contained within the grooves
of Neurasenia is exactly what makes Spriggs such a vital force
in the guitar world today. www.MichaelSpriggs.com