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Steven Kirby: Illuminations

By Dan Bilawsky
August 24, 2016
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Illuminations—guitarist Steven Kirby's third album, following Point Of Balance (Challenge Records, 1998) and North Lights (Challenge Records, 2003)—is both true to previous form and highly expansive. Kirby uses elements of the sonic palette(s) that helped to color his earlier work, referencing the probing lyricism of

John Abercrombie

guitar
1944 - 2017

" data-original-title="" title="">John Abercrombie and the straight-to-the-heart melodic qualities shot through in classic recordings from

Pat Metheny

guitar
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Pat Metheny with

Lyle Mays

keyboards
1953 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">Lyle Mays, but he doesn't simply extend on what's come before. In the thirteen years since Kirby's last album, he's refined and expanded his own style(s) of performance and composition, living up to the idea of jazz as an art built on growth and renewal.

The album opens on Mike Connors' drums setting the pace for Kirby's energized "Parabola," the first of nine original tunes on the playlist. Kirby's guitar,

Aubrey Johnson

vocals
b.1985

" data-original-title="" title="">Aubrey Johnson's wordless vocals, and

Bill Vint

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Vint's saxophone make for a perfectly balanced combination as the titular arc is drawn in unique musical fashion. "I Hear A Rhapsody," propelled by

Ed Lucie

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Ed Lucie's bubbling electric bass, follows. Kirby unleashes a steady stream of sixteenth notes during his memorable solo flight, the rhythm section briefly toys with a half time feel (without committing) during pianist

Mark Shilansky

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Mark Shilansky's stand, and Vint, not to be outdone, slaloms his way through the changes like an expert skier flying down a double black diamond trail.

Those first two glimpses into Illuminations are marked by a similar sense of vitality, but the game really changes with the title track. Kirby's nylon-string guitar work serves as scene-setter and constant, as the rest of the band builds around it, moving toward a sunny, Brazilian-based vision that readily acknowledges that Metheny-Mays influence. Everybody brings their A game here, but special recognition goes to Johnson and Vint (on flute) for their exchanges at song's end. Kirby then sticks with the nylon strings for an intimate tribute to his wife on the trio-centric "Beautiful Rain," delves into odd-metered territory for "Lake Of Stars," and balances motion against quietude on "Slow Circle," which features some of bassist

Greg Loughman

bass, acoustic
b.1973

" data-original-title="" title="">Greg Loughman's most memorable work on this date.

The album plays on with "May The 4th Be With You," a 6/8 piece that bounds along and finds Kirby taking an aggressive sonic stance. It's the only place on the album where edge wins out in his sound and it's miles away from "A Luz Das Estrelas"—the classically-influenced,

Guinga

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Guinga-inspired solo work for nylon-string guitar that follows it. Beauty remains central in the final act(s) of the album, as Kirby creates one stunner after another. First he delivers a wistful, teal-toned take on "Over The Rainbow," spotlighting a mesmerizing performance from Johnson in the process; then he creates picture of heartland and hearth with veiled complexity on "Returning"; and finally, he taps into the placid American visions of artists like

Charlie Haden

bass, acoustic
1937 - 2014

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Haden and

Bill Frisell

guitar, electric
b.1951

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Frisell for the comforting "Last Song." It's a gorgeous sendoff and a fitting conclusion to an extraordinarily pleasing and diverse album.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Parabola; I Hear A Rhapsody; Illuminations; Beautiful Rain; Lake Of Stars; Slow Circle; May The 4ths Be With You; A Luz Das Estrelas; Over THe Rainbow; Returning; Last Song.

Personnel

Steven Kirby

guitar

Steven Kirby: acoustic guitar, electric guitar; Aubrey Johnson: vocals (1, 3, 5, 9); John Funkhouser: piano, keyboards (1, 3, 5, 9, 11); Greg Loughman: acoustic bass (1, 3-6, 9-11); Mike Connors: drums, percussion; Bill Vint: saxophone, flute (1-3, 5, 7); Mark Shilansky: piano (2, 7); Steve Hunt: keyboards (3); Ed Lucie: electric bass (2, 7).

Album information

Title: Illuminations | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Whaling City Sound

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