Branco Stoysin – Alone
(Sun Recordings BS-SR 24597-7. CD Review by Chris Parker)

Although Serbia-born guitarist Branco Stoysin is most frequently encountered leading a trio, this album, as its title suggests, documents his playing ‘alone’ (not ‘solo’, notice: only two tracks, ‘Adagio for All Dear Souls’ and ‘Amber’, feature solo guitar; others are composed of overdubbed guitars).

Sometimes, as on the gentle, beautifully poised opener, ‘Alone’ and the remarkable tribute to Nikola Tesla (electricity pioneer), ‘Aurora Tesla’, indeed, Stoysin plays four guitars, all skilfully blended; other tracks see him playing two, but however many instruments are involved, all Stoysin’s considerable strengths are represented, not to say distilled, on this album (and its accompanying five-minute DVD): a wonderfully dexterous lightness of touch that enables him to produce music of great delicacy and charm, a great ear for an insinuatingly lovely melody, and a seriousness of approach that imbues everything he plays with dignity and gravitas.

Alone, which is comprised of seven new tunes and three new versions of old favourites, celebrates not only the 15th anniversary of Stoysin’s Sun Recordings label, but also the 70th anniversary of Tesla’s death, and should be investigated by anyone who loves hearing the acoustic guitar imaginatively (and flawlessly) played.

For more information, visit Branco’s WEBSITE.