Steve Peck writes: The magnanimous Henry Parker and David Ian Roberts have gifted my ears with Chasing Light, an album of stunning guitar instrumentals. I don’t know what’s in the water in the UK, but there must be something—because it seems to produce an inordinate number of exceptional acoustic players.
Photo by Daniel Johnson Gray
Parker and Roberts share a telepathic connection—each touch distinct, yet seamlessly woven into a unified tapestry of melody and grace.
The duo reminds me of the interplay between Bert Jansch and John Renbourn. While there are a few obvious nods to these masters of yesteryear, my comparison is rooted in how Parker and Roberts, together, serve the songs first. They let the music breathe and unfold in its harmonic fluidity—never trying to outshine one another with flashy bits.
Photo from the Bert and John CD reissue
Since I’m not a trained guitar player or musician, I can listen without dissecting the technical side—a realm that fascinates so many. Still, I hear notes, I hear chords, and I love hearing how they weave together. While I can dive deeper into those aspects, I much rather experience the music as a WHOLE—letting it wash over me like a rippling stream.
Listening to Chasing Light feels like standing in the woods as birdsong surrounds you in concert.
The White Roe is a particular favorite. The album’s liner notes say, “The harmony and tranquility of this piece seemed to conjure images of traditional Japanese art, which are replete with depictions of deer, often in snow-covered landscapes.”
Auspicious Roe Deer by Lang Shining
Anyone who knows me personally understands how passionate I am about traditional Japanese art—especially woodblock prints. This endears me even more to Henry Parker and David Ian Roberts, who have composed and performed an album of timeless elegance. Highly, highly recommended!
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Extra Track of the Day: Old Peculiar. Again, from the liner notes, "The opening riff, sounding gnarled and twisted, seemed to reflect our drink of choice for those February writing sessions, this being the dark 'stock beer' Old Peculiar, brewed on the other side of Yorkshire Dales in Masham." The performance video is a treat!
Steve Peck also writes at his Hickory Notes Facebook music blog
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