Closing Time
Doug Young
Doug Young is a first-class musician who has chosen the guitar as his instrument. He does not "play the guitar" as much as he "plays great music using the guitar." The difference is his great sense of melody and the feeling that goes into writing a top-notch song. On Closing Time his original songs are as memorable as they are instantly enjoyable, and his arrangements are second to none.
Doug Young brings more than virtuosity and composing talent to Closing Time. His work as an editor for Acoustic Guitar magazine fed him ideas for some of the songs on this album. His experience as a recording engineer also shows here, with some of the finest recorded guitar sound that I have ever heard. (In fact, he recorded and mixed Anton Emery's recent CD Noone Lasses.) All of this adds up to one superb project.
The album begins with the Celtic-tinged The Gathering which is a musical evocation of the annual music festival the Swannanoa Gathering. This beautifully melodic piece is perfectly complemented with the subtle percussion of Brian Rice as well as John Begley's understated mandolin.
Autumn Roads is another great tune with one of those distinctive melodies that seem instantly familiar. The recording of the guitar is sumptuous, displaying not only Doug Young's concern for detail, but also his background as a recording engineer. Solo guitar has rarely sounded this rich.
Cairo is a song with a message. Written in response to the 2011 demonstrations in Cairo, it is a prayer that things will turn out OK for those involved. Its simple humanity and compassion is deeply moving.
Things lighten up considerably with the good humor of Curly Q. The curls here are twists and turns of the melody that will keep your ears guessing as to where you are headed next. Good fun with a master in full control of his instrument.
The Month of January is a traditional tune in a unique arrangement in which Doug Young captures the sparse beauty of an unaccompanied vocal performance. Laurel Thomsen's spare string arrangement sets the guitar off wonderfully well, creating an unforgettable track.
Elephant Dance is another tune that is great fun. It is based on "a leftover bass line" from an article that Doug wrote for Acoustic Guitar magazine. The bass line sings out from a 17-inch wide baritone guitar built by Tony Yamamoto, while its dancing partner is a National El Travador resonator guitar played with a slide - and with panache.
While She Sleeps is a lovely ballad that loses none of its poignancy as a memorial to a beloved pet. Once again Doug Young virtually sings the gorgeous melody through his guitar.
The product of inconveniently timed inspiration, Pack It Up is a bluesy stroll in the company of Doug Adams' harmonica. This is a moody tune that heads through different territory, sometimes melancholy but never sad and always interesting.
The inclusion of the traditional tune Jock O'Hazeldean shows yet again Mr. Young's fine ear for melody. Originally arranged as an exercise for Acoustic Guitar magazine, this gentle melody would be a show-stopper in any set. And again, the solo guitar is recorded with incredibly beautiful tone.
Red Snapper is a swinging tune inspired by the classic duets between John Renbourn and Stefan Grossman. There is all of the great interplay between parts as well as rich sections where they come together, all kept moving along by a relentless rhythm that drives right to the very last note.
One of the unsuspected gems on this album is Wildwood Flower. Now mostly known as a country classic, it actually dates from the time of the Civil War. Doug Young's fingerstyle arrangement is a mellow, somewhat introspective take on the tune that brings out a radiance that has hidden in the melody all this time. A gem.
Rainy Sunday gives you an idea of what Doug Young gets up to on a day off while in the company of a superb instrument, in this case a John Mello Classic Steel guitar. Relaxed and tuneful, you can practically hear the rain pelting the window panes.
The Seagull is a group effort with a fun back story. The tune itself grew out of some riffs that Doug Young played in a video review of the Seagull Mariner guitar. Fellow Acoustic Guitar editor Teja Gerken came up with a second part that transformed the song into a duet. The texture is further filled out with Jeff Schmidt's smooth bass and Brian Rice's tasteful percussion. Just a fine ensemble piece.
Appropriately, Closing Time ends the set with an evocation of the end of the night at a gig where the last few patrons are just leaving and the performer is free to play whatever they wish before calling it a night. This tune captures it all: the smoky atmosphere, the fatigue, the bluesy feeling of a gig ending, and the final freedom to go out on a tune of one's own choosing. If you have ever been in this situation you will feel instantly familiar here; if not, by the end of it you will have been welcomed into our club.
In summary, this is one of the most melodious albums I have heard this entire year. The playing is flawless yet expressive, with exquisite melodies complemented by exceptional recording. This is not just an album for those who love guitar music, but rather superb music that comes to us via guitar.
Highly recommended! You really should check this one out.
You can buy Closing time at Amazon.com as an audio CD
