Adoptive Montrealer Brad Barr continues his introspective exploration of Americana with The Winter Mission, a second instrumental album that follows The Fall Apartment, released in 2008 before the formation of the Barr Brothers with his brother, drummer Andrew Barr.
Posted at 12:30 p.m.
We recognize of course the sensitive touch of the guitarist, his transcendent affection for his instrument and for bluegrass, folk and zydeco sounds. The parallel with his work within the Barr Brothers is especially perceptible on Ancient Calendars, Untouchable Number and Prayer Beads, probably the most accessible pieces of an album that can very well serve as a soundtrack to an evening spent near a crackling fireplace.
The careful exploration of the sound textures expressed by Brad Barr is however worth the effort, a few successive listenings are necessary to discover all the subtleties of his playing, which one feels very organic, the warmth prevailing over the precision.
This arguably makes the disc a bit difficult to probe. The feeling is explained when we learn that the American guitarist composed his album drawing inspiration from the number 216, very mysterious in the eyes of Brad Barr. He sees it everywhere, on dials, license plates, Ouija boards, receipts, it’s also the number of seams in a baseball. Baseball is precisely the title of one of the best tracks on the disc, the most bluesy. Many other tracks on the album also refer to the number 216, a recurring theme in the musician’s life since “a memorable acid trip” in adolescence, we can learn in the launch press release.
Let us be reassured however, it is useless to push esotericism so far to appreciate The Winter Mission, but letting your mind wander a bit listening to it is definitely worth it.
folklore
The Winter Mission
Brad Barr
Secret City Records