Giacomo Fiore presents four works for electric guitar by living American composers – Eve Beglarian, Larry Polansky. Christian Wolff, and Anthony Porter – on his latest release IV (available here). Fiore is an ardent proponent of the electric guitar’s potential as a concert instrument. Indeed, there’s not a whiff of rock to be found on IV, but here and there jazz voicings make welcome appearances. Throughout, all of the composers treat the electric guitar as the versatile instrument that it is, capable of many timbral variations and playing techniques and, yes, intricate voicings that eschew boxy barre chords. Fiore’s playing is sensitive, featuring subtle dynamic shadings and pitch bending. I’ve been enjoying spinning the vinyl version of the recording, but if you prefer digital it is also available in downloadable formats on Bandcamp.
Christian B. Carey 