The four guitarists in the
Fred Frith Guitar Quartet are not about the synergistic effects of a riffing guitar army, instead they are about tone texture, unexpected counterpoint, and dissonance. These four electric guitars run the gamut of what is possible with the instrument and then, by group association, take it to the fourth power. The project has been quietly at work for a solid decade and celebrates that ten-year association with this collection of live material from their 1997 European tour. Since his days with
Henry Cow,
Frith has, like
Robert Fripp, Snakefinger, or
Mike Keneally, advanced the guitar as a tool of stunning improvisation and experimentation. The tracks are angular, mathematical, and extemporaneous. Selections represent group performance and solo showcases from each member.
Fred is exhibited in the 12 minute 38 second "Antaeus/Rosali's Song." Beginning with a slowing oscillation between bass and high-end plucking, the piece has a middle section of electronic hum before a syncopated solo is patched in from another venue. "Rosali's Song" is a gentle melody, almost Nashville, that continues the introduced theme of alternating notes widely separated by octaves. From
Nick Didkovsky comes "Stinky Eye/To Laugh Uncleanly at the Nurse," another study in contrasts, featuring Oriental, koto-like stylings with highly distorted guitar. From
Rene Lussier there is "Tour de Suite," an unpredictable tour of the fretboard that recalls Michael Hedges but with more seriousness. The final member
Mark Stewart steps out on "Speedy Feety" for quickly paced runs that quote "Hot Rod Lincoln" and more.