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Chris Forsyth

Solar Motel - Expanded 10th Anniversary Edition

    Expanded 2xLP 10th Anniversary Edition includes two studio outtakes from the original sessions, and a side-long live session recorded at WFMU by the then brand- new Solar Motel Band.

    Over the last two decades Philadelphia-based guitarist Chris Forsyth has released over a dozen critically lauded albums that have established him as one of today's most unique and acclaimed guitar player /composers - a forward-thinking classicist synthesizing cinematic expansiveness with a pithy lyricism and rhythmic directness that makes even his 20-minute workouts feel as clear, direct, and memorable as a 4-minute song.

    Named after a run-down lodge in New Jersey near where he grew up, Solar Motel was the first full-band project from Chris Forsyth. Originally released in 2013, it was considered his most ambitious and sublime work of Cosmic Americana to date, and the idea of the Motel also figured into a band where vacancies would open and close.


    STAFF COMMENTS

    Barry says: One of the finest examples of psychedelic country music from the 2010's get a much needed and wonderfully accentuated reissue. Chris Fosyth's lysergic journey, 'Solar Motel' flows like a dreamy trip, swerving from heady distorted bliss into woozy, minimalist primitive. Brilliant.

    TRACK LISTING

    A1 - Solar Motel Part I (11:41)
    A2 - Solar Motel Part II (10:05)
    B1 - Solar Motel Part III (12:17)
    B2 - Solar Motel Part IV (07:26)
    C1 - Harmonious Dance (08:43)
    C2 - Long Warm Afternoon (06:47)
    D1 - Solar Motel Part I - Paranoid Cat - Live On WFMU (20:44)

    Chris Forsyth / Dave Harrington / Ryan Jewell / Spencer Zahn

    First Flight

      The ideal of the residency was to mix things up with special guests, different band lineups, and varied set lists, keeping things fresh and new week-to-week, and this show was the wild card of the bunch.

      That's because although Ryan and I have played together for years, and Dave and Spencer have played together for years, neither half of the band had ever met each other. I was tangentially aware of Dave and his music and was intrigued by what I'd heard, so I thought it was a cool idea when Chris Tart, the residency promoter, suggested a collaboration.

      So, about 30 minutes after we'd all heard each others voices for the first time, we got up and played for a little over an hour, uninterrupted. The only thing discussed beforehand was that we shouldn't discuss anything beforehand - not a key or a riff to start with, nothing - so as to preserve maximum spontaneity.

      I think this music demonstrates a real connection on stage. In other words, each player was completely present and actively listening on the bandstand. Listening back, there are moments I can hear Ryan saying - musically - "Hey, let's go over here! Check this out!," or Spencer being like "Wouldn't it be cool to go down this path?" And we followed. And it was cool.

      In my mind, that listening thing is the number one most important factor in any collaboration or cooperative effort, but especially in improvised music.

      And I think it's fair to say that a little more listening, a little more presence, would do the whole world some good right about now, don't you think?

      -Chris Forsyth


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