reviews: At the Dimming of the Day

"Virtuoso performances here from two extremely talented performers performing on a variety of violins and guitars. Jazz is just one part of this wide ranging set which includes folk, classical and many other influences. It's simply stunning at times."

Peter Bevan, Northern Echo

5
"Thirteen violin-and-guitar duets may not sound like an exciting proposition, but this is a most remarkable album. The range of expression, originality of ideas and boldness of execution puts it in a class of its own. Etheridge has been called 'one of the best guitarists in the world ' by no less a figure than Pat Metheny, and on this showing that's the plain truth. Garrick, a former child prodigy, can swing with the best of them, but there's also warmth, lyricism and a lot of wit. The programme is inspired, too, with themes by everyone from Duke Ellington to William Walton, by way of Ennio Morricone."

Dave Gelly, Observer

5
"Since their first recording together, the 1998 quartet album Sweet Chorus, violinist Chris Garrick and guitarist John Etheridge have each pursued a diversity of musical projects apart-Garrick with gypsy jazz guitarists Angelo Debarre and Bireli Lagrene and with divas Dolly Parton and Cleo Laine for starters, while Etheridge's current schedule features the Soft Machine Legacy, the Zappatistas and duos with classical guitar master John Williams. In between all this activity, they have maintained their fruitful musical partnership with the occasional quartet gig or series of duo dates. This album, their first as a duo, enables them to explore an eclectic choice of repertoire from composers as far removed as William Walton and Elvis Presley ('Touch Her Soft Lips and Part' and 'Love Me Tender') or Astor Piazzolla and Duke Ellington ('Invierno Porteno' and 'Come Sunday').Both musicians can play simply and beautifully, as they do on the opener, Richard Thompson's 'Dimming of the Day'. On this and on the Walton piece, the guitarist's steady arpeggiated accompaniment compliments the violinist's improvised lines. Some judicious looping from Garrick sets the atmosphere as the lights dim for Ennio Morricone's theme from Cinema Paradiso and electronic effects conjure up a rain forest fro Luis Bonfa's The Gentle Rain, with Garrick using looping and delay to create an evocative sound scape. 'Stormy Weather' finds Etheridge laying down a solid 4/4 on a hybrid instrument - half bass, half guitar - while Garrick's wah-wah violin leads us firmly and expressively from Cootie Williams to Jimi Hendrix. Etheridge continues his rhythm guitar persona in Hot Club vein on 'Don't Worry 'Bout Me', squeezing in a fine overdubbed solo over his own backing before Garrick draws it to a superb dramatic conclusion. Their own composition, 'Absinthe Minded' takes their electronic explorations into very different territory - a primeval, dangerous landscape dotted with sounds that intrigue and some that alarm - from which the pair gently lead us back to the safe high ground of the 'Tennessee Waltz' for a gentle, country- flavoured conclusion to an excellent, enjoyable album."

Charles Alexander, Jazzwise