DAVID YOUNGS
Fragments
David Youngs is an acoustic guitar player and multi-instrumentalist from Cambridge. His previous solo album was released 10 years ago and the current album has been three years in the making, taking into account the composition, the practice required to deliver the final recordings, plus the technical element of that, all of which show in the finished album. To refer to David Young as a virtuoso will go at least some of the way to describing what he offers. His percussive tapping and picking style brings to mind the likes of Eric Roche and Michael Hedges and he does admit to having studied with Preston Reed, but in the final analysis he is very much his own player.
Despite the virtuosity on display over the 15 tracks, as opposed to the technique and immense dexterity they contain, no matter how fast he plays and believe me he can play fast, the three years of preparation have not been wasted. For all the notes that have been played, not one of them is out of place. This could be considered a whole made up of 15 pieces (or fragments if you like). There is no sense of self-indulgent noodling or simple showing off that can emerge from the work of highly talented players. This is an album of beauty, with an uplifting and occasionally summary feel, all delivered with a degree of lightness of touch. It is true that any competent guitarist listening to this may feel the need to simply abandon their instrument and take up the recorder of the triangle as an alternative, but for those of us with no great ambition to play, there is a delight in hearing a true master of his instrument. The cohesive feel of his works are in contrast to the apparent random nature of the titles. So we have for example, ‘Flip Flop Flap’, ‘Higgledy-Piggledy’, ‘Plate Glass Shiver’ and ‘You Would Hear What Is Inside If You Would Only Listen’. The accompanying info suggests, as does the title of the album, that each of the tracks starts with an idea suggested by some experience, that is then fully developed over considerable time into a fully worked piece, and we are grateful for it. He has indeed managed to achieve balance between technique and musicality. Melody and engagement are never sacrificed, his debut album Transience saw him incorporate elements of bass and drum technique into his guitar playing style, which helps explain the complete feel to a solo instrumental album. Guitarist magazine has referred to him as an addition to the ranks of elite Acoustic stylists, whilst acknowledging the contribution of the rhythmic element of his playing. Now they really know what they’re talking about.
David does appear at Arts centres and festivals, as well as guitar focused events and anyone who enjoys seeing a master at work would do well to seek him out. In the meantime, look to hear this album!
Fragments