Albums

The month’s best guitar music – a hand-picked selection of the finest fretwork on wax

Knopfler’s flair for storytelling runs deep in his 10th studio album

Mark Knopfler

One Deep River

British Grove/EMI (available 12 April)

9/10

A storied masterpiece from the sultan of song There are very few guitarists whose style manages to win a place in the ‘instantly recognisable’ club, but Mark Knopfler is certainly a fully paid-up member of that particular elite. That unmistakable semi-clean Strat sound – plus, of course, the occasional Les Paul, Telecaster and sundry Stratalike six-string exotica – permeated every release by that fabulous beast that was Dire Straits. But when that enterprise took its final curtain call in 1995, Knopfler engaged upon a solo career that has seen him release no fewer than nine albums to date. One Deep River is the tenth, the title song of which is a personal paean to the Tyne that flows through his beloved Newcastle.

Produced by Knopfler and long-time collaborator Guy Fletcher and recorded at MK’s state-of-the-art Grove Studios, One Deep Riverfeatures 12 songs in its single CD release format, expanded to the tune of four or five bonus tracks depending on which deluxe package you choose. Always the master storyteller, lyrically the songs cover everything from early days trying to make it in the music business to a daring railroad robbery in the old Wild West on Tunnel 13. Aside from the signature Strat tones, there’s sensitive acoustic playing on tracks such as SweeterThanThe Rain. But as is the case with every master craftsperson, it’s the songs themselves that bask in the spotlight, the guitars playing only what’s necessary and nothing more. As such, the album is a masterclass in the art of subtlety and restraint that will sit happily alongside Knopfler’s finest work. [DM]

Standout track: BlackTieJobs For fans of: Dire Straits, JJ Cale, John Hiatt

Martin Simpson

Skydancers

Topic Records (available 12 April)

10/10

Moving, perfectly performed feast of folk guitar delivers sorrow and joy Any new Martin Simpson album is a treat for folk-guitar fans, but with Skydancers, he may just have delivered his magnum opus. Comprising two discs, one of studio recordings, the other of some superbly recorded live performances, all of life is here – from nature in conflict with man in the title track to ale-house rakes who’ve lost it all to drink and hedonism in Flash Company, the sorrow and fleeting joys of the world are etched in the listener’s imagination with masterly skill. In so doing, Simpson draws upon a deep well of extraordinary folk songs from both Britain and America as well as his own compositions. So it’s testament to his artistry that everything coheres gracefully and movingly here – and we don’t think we’ve ever heard him play so well as on some of the live tracks, notably Leaves Of Life. As you’d expect, his Muiderman and Taran acoustic guitars sound stunning throughout – a record for both heart and head, Skydancers is one of those albums that’s just good for the soul. [JD]

Standout track: Leaves Of Life

For fans of: John Renbourn, Kelly Joe Phelps

Eric Bibb

Live at The Scala Theatre Stockholm

Stony Plain Records (available 5April)

9/10

Velvet-voiced bluesman creates atmospheric live album “The LiveAtThe Scala concert was, without a doubt, the most ambitious gig and recording project of my career…” says Eric Bibb of his brand-new live album. Ambitious it certainly is, too. Perhaps known more for playing solo, accompanied only by an acoustic guitar, this album sees the bluesman with a full band and a string section adding a brilliant extra dimension to songs old and new. Eric tells us that the mission here was to deliver a live album that offered songs that had not been visited on live outings before, plus a few fan favourites, and it succeeds on every level. The band proves to be a perfect foil for the pristine guitar work, with soulful ballads such as AlongTheWay and Rosewood being particularly effective in this context. Simply fabulous. [DM]

Standout track: AlongTheWay

For fans of: Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal

Sophie Lloyd

Imposter Syndrome

Autumn Records (available now)

8/10

UK shred-rocker delivers powerful debut Sophie Lloyd has been a social media whirlwind, drumming up lots of views on YouTube and other outlets. An ex-BIMM student, she’s grabbed the guitar world’s attention and has now released her debut album.

Enhanced with various guests including Matt Heafy (Trivium) and Nathan James (Inglorious), her classic rock and metal roots shine throughout, be it with palm-muted powerchords or slippery legato leads. The title track begins with clean ambient guitar before thick distorted chords take over, and with Lzzy Hales on vocals, it’s a big-sounding song with one of Lloyd’s more chilled solos. The drop Dfuelled Let It Hurt features Chris Robertson for a husky American-styled rocker, big on production and sonic punch. For a more modern shred presentation, Fall Of Man with Matt Heafy is worth a listen, not least for the tapping legato intro and later solos. [JS]

Standout track: Let It Hurt

For fans of: Halestorm, Alter Bridge

Troy Redfern

Invocation

RED7 Records (available 17 May)

9/10

One-man blues-rock army ignites the airwaves Troy Redfern sure knows how to wield a slide! With a new batch of 11 stomping songs, his playing and vocal delivery here are sure to grab attention with well-crafted compositions and arrangements. Opener, The Strange, is a pounding, low Cthrob rocker with huge chorus vocals and a cracking slide solo, and low Ctuning occurs again on Van Helsing with clipped Clash-esque chords and propulsive chorus guitars and rhythm section. Getaway has a Rolling Stones meets Mötley Crüe vibe with slinky guitar action and raucous vocals, while The Calling nods towards The Cult, with great anthemic guitar work and dynamic shifts. The swampy stomp of TheFever is a particular standout, with a span that nods back to ZZ Top and forwards to modern rock production intensity. And if you hanker for further rock pulverising, VoodooPriestess is outstanding: grungy guitars, screaming slide work and exclamatory vocals will shudder your speakers for sure. [JS]

Standout track: TheFever

For fans of: When Rivers Meet, JD Simo