Guitarists Oxley and Meier first recorded their delicate duets from four live shows in 2011, but Chasing Tales is a studio production in which this resourceful pair layer and overdub their sizeable range of instruments (they play nylon and steel, 12-string, acoustic and electric, the oud-derived glissantar, and the baglama lute) to produce a duo music with a much bigger sound.
The tracklist features 11 diverse originals and a traditional theme by Turkey’s legendary minstrel Asik Veysel. Tranquil, floating melodies over soft strumming – as on the quietly wayward The Followers – represent Oxley and Meier in relaxed conversational mode; Looking West, Tales and Libra are rhapsodic ballads that develop along Django Reinhardt or Pat Metheny lines. The Metheny influence shows up in its fusion guise on the pulsating track The Bridge, which combines the American’s synth-guitar sound and the brittle tones of the glissentar. There are breezy Latin dances, music with strong Turkish inflections. The funky, closely-entwined Breezin’ On is a standout, and Bluster is a brightly devious walking blues.
This invitingly song-based repertoire stretches wide enough to engage listeners beyond the coterie of jazz guitar fans. Oxley and Meier can be heard on their extended tour of the UK.
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