Pan American, Michael Grigoni - New World, Lonely Ride (Kranky)
- The Slow Music Movement
- 6 days ago
- 1 min read
*** This post first appeared in TSMM's April 6th Newsletter, where you can get all the tips (and more) first. ***
Another couple of artists determined to Make Americana Great Again are guitar, mandolin and synthesizer playing Pan American, aka Mark Nelson, and multi-instrumentalist, but dobro, lap steel guitar, and pedal steel guitar focussed Michael Grigoni, who have just released this wonderful lap around the ambient guitar sun for the evergreen Kranky records.
For some reason I was convinced the duo had teamed up before, perhaps because it makes so much sense, but this is actually the first time these like minds have collaborated and I’m sure you’ll agree that it should happen more often. In fact I might even start an online petition - Pan Grigoni, I can see it now.
Electronic augmentation is kept to a minimum and when it does slip into the mix it’s for good reason, adding an air of universal mystery and cosmic shimmer to the virtuoso guitar interplay. More often than not though it’s Grigoni taking care of ambient duty, using his various slide and resonating guitars to elongate notes beyond their normal lifespan whilst Nelson ponders modern life and changing social norms with his precision, all seeing picking. This album is a very real meeting of like-minds, the symbiosis is real and the results stunning. Check it out whilst you’re on your way round to an old friend’s house who you haven’t seen in far too long.
Playlist Companion
Find a track from them in fine deep roots & alt-folk company in the Slow Folk Playlist.