by Ron Schepper, Textura
On their first studio release as a duo, guitarist Andrew Renfroe and bassist Luke Sellick perform engaging instrumental versions of traditionals, pop classics, and blues songs by Tom Petty, Neil Young, Skip James, Dolly Parton, and others. While the NYC-based musical partners bring well-honed jazz sensibilities to the project, the results are as much folk and blues as jazz. Virtuosity is always used in service to the material (even when the playing is at its most dexterous, during the guitarist’s solo in “Jolene,” for example), making for a recording that’s both personal and self-effacing. These are honest and affectionate renderings that put song first and ego second. Read the full review here.