I first came across R.D. King a few years back at a show in Cambridge. He was sandwiched in between a few other acts, songwriters in the more traditional sense where the songs had verses, choruses, maybe a bridge and lyrics. When King took the stage and began to perform his instrumental songs the room fell to a deafening silence and the entire audience was entranced by each note. It was a special thing that he was able to do with just his instrument.
He furthers the display of that power on his latest self titled release.
The music is exciting, while retaining a sense of beauty and landscape. A trip across the fret board as notes flurry out, then he pulls back. Trickling like the rain in slow drops, then the fury of fire engulfing the arrangement. Somewhere between a medieval minstrel and finger style master Andy McKee, R.D. presents his songs in a way that pulls you in deep and brings you along for the ride.
Check out ‘Rain and Ash’ below…