In his five-decade career, finger-style acoustic guitarist Duck Baker has played in lots of styles, from folk (real folk, such as Scottish and Irish fiddle tunes) to blues to jazz, in the latter genre particularly focusing on bebop greats, with whole albums devoted to the music of Thelonious Monk and Herbie Nichols. But he has flashed an avant-garde side as well, and of course ESP-Disk’ was interested in exposing more of the latter work. This album of duos and trios with an all-star roster of players, mostly British, collects recordings ranging from 1994 through 2017.
1. Imp Romp 2
2. Shenandoah
3. Indie Pen Dance
4. East River Delta Blues
5. Ode to Jo
6. Duo for 225 Strings
7. The Missing Chandler
8. Tourbillion Air
9. Pope Slark
10. Signing Off
Duck Baker, guitar on all tracks
Derek Bailey, guitar, #3 (7/4/2002)
Steve Beresford, piano, #6 (9/18/2009)
John Butcher, tenor saxophone, #7 (9/19/2009)
Mark Dresser, bass, #2, #9 (1994)
Michael Moore, alto saxophone, #1 (10/10/2008)
Roswell Rudd, trombone, #4, #10 (1/9/2002)
Alex Ward, clarinet; Joe Williamson, bass, #5 (9/12/2010)
Alex Ward, clarinet; John Edwards, bass; Steve Noble, drums, #8 (3/7/2017)
