Darker Days is the latest solo EP from Hudson Valley, New York guitarist Jim Ledford. Over the past two decades, Ledford has lent his talents to studio sessions, radio, guitar teaching, as well as recording and touring for his instrumental solo material. Combining some insane chops with a great sense of melody, Darker Days is just under 24 minutes of enjoyable instrumental rock guitar tunes that bring elements of jazz-fusion, progressive rock, and a hint of metal. Though you can hear hints of Ronnie Montrose and Joe Satriani at times, Ledford clearly has his own sound, complete with a thick tone that emphasizes melodic phrasing and sweeping legato lines. There's a variety of styles and tempos on display here, including the atmospheric "Drift", the funky and quite groove laden "Catholic Girls", the soaring "Close to the End" (a must hear for fans of Ronnie Montrose's late '80s solo material), the shimmering acoustic tones of "Life's Little Twist", as well as the blazing guitar rock of "Tenth Passage East".
At just 7 tracks and clocking in at well under 30 minutes, you'll be wanting more from this very talented guitar player. Here's hoping we get much more from Jim Ledford in the years to come!
Track Listing
- Tenth Passage East
- Close to the End
- Catholic Girls
- Drift
- Glass Bottom Boat
- Life's Little Twist
- Walking Beside You the Earth Visits
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