PRESS
JAMES BLACKSHAW/THE GLASS BEAD GAME/Review
NPR.org / by Lynda Smith
His music seems to have a church-like quality. His guitar mimics an entire orchestra.
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NPR.org
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105986417&ft=1&f=1039
James Blackshaw: A One-Man Orchestra
Lynda Smith
Twelve string guitarist James Blackshaw got his start in music by playing in
a punk band.
The Glass Bead Game is the latest album from James Blackshaw.
All Things Considered, June 28, 2009 - Listening to James Blackshaw perform,
you would never guess that he got his start in music by playing in a punk
band. The 12-string guitarist is best known for his lush, symphonic
compositions. Blackshaw recently sat down with NPR's Guy Raz to talk about
his musical style and his latest album, The Glass Bead Game.
Blackshaw is often likened to John Fahey for the experimental quality of his
music, but the comparison only goes so far. Blackshaw cites a broad spectrum
of influences, including American minimalism and liturgical music. It was
his love for the latter that drew him to the 12-string.
"It was like an immediate shift in the way that I played," Blackshaw says.
"The instrument really rings out."
His music seems to have a church-like quality. His guitar mimics an entire
orchestra.
The lushness of his music is made possible by his impressive technical
virtuosity. Blackshaw's playing style is physically demanding and at times
painful. But he enjoys the challenge.
"There's so much rapid movement in my right hand that sometimes you do just
sort of cramp up," Blackshaw says. "It's like running, and there's a point
when it gets quite difficult. But if you go through that point then it
becomes quite easy."
Blackshaw's music is uplifting, but he feels his best work is written when
he is sad.
"I find it incredibly cathartic to write music," he says.
Contrary to what many believe, Blackshaw says that there is no cinematic
element in his writing process. But he would like to try his hand at scoring
a film — a horror film, to be specific. However, it's unclear whether
Blackshaw can make the 12-string sound scary.
"It's quite a sweet-sounding instrument," he says.