Jim Hensley
10 years after the release of his towering American standards album A History of Every One, master guitarist Bill Orcutt has revealed he has another solo acoustic album called Jump On It in the works. Despite its title, the forthcoming project — due out April 28 on Orcutt’s own label, Palilalia Records — has little in common with The Sugarhill Gang’s “Apache.” Instead, like A History did a decade ago, it comprises a series of slow, open-tuned contemplations. Today (February 15), alongside his announcement, he’s shared three of these cuts: “The Life of Jesus,” “Some Hidden Purpose,” and “A Natural Death.”
Unlike the chaotic free-jazz concotions Orcutt has been improvising with drummer Chris Corsano of late, Jump On It is all about tranquil simplicity, in the style of American primitivist legends like John Fahey and Robbie Basho. Beautiful and mesmeric, these songs are best played on long, lonesome walks. Listen to the three new tracks below.