Black Hen
This is Canadian guitarist/producer/record-label head Steve Dawson’s second instrumental release, the first being 2008’s “Telescope,” which was the result of a grant to study pedal steel guitar under L.A. session man Greg Leisz. “Rattlesnake,” however, is strictly acoustic.
Tompkins Square
With the exception of a fiddle here and some bass there, two acoustic guitars are all one gets with this gem of an album (vinyl and download only) — but that’s plenty.
Surfdog
Three studio albums into his 21st-century comeback, Hicks is squarely in the groove. Taken as a whole, the melodies, lyrics, vocals and musicianship on “Tales” are nearly as good as on 1972’s “Striking It Rich,” arguably the artistic zenith for his heady mixture of good-time/old-time swing, folk, country and jazz with a lyrical dose of wry humor that never fails to bring a smile.
Vagabond
Two words: acoustic blues, mostly guitar and harmonica, the former provided by baritone singer/songwriter Sprawl — who didn’t name his record label Vagabond for nothing, having experienced the nomadic lifestyle to the point of living out of his van for a couple of years.
Favored Nations Acoustic
Legg, voted “best fingerstyle guitarist” by Guitar Player’s readers four years running (1993-96), delivers his least acoustic-sounding album for his 14th release.
