The second installment of ROCKTOBER from Shine A Light Productions presents The Slip frontman Brad Barr's solo work. The selections for this week come from Barr's performances at Pete's Candy Store last autumn (which served as the capper for a magnificent wedding weekend, which partially explains why Barr is in a suit and tie for this performance); at Sullivan Hall this past January where he opened on the final night of Marco Benevento's residency; and his recent appearance at the Bowery Ballroom where he graced the stage twice, first as a solo performer and later with his Slip bandmates backing Sonya Kitchell. You can view the videos HERE.
Barr's songwriting has become increasingly prolific and poignant, and the rare chance to catch him play solo is something not to be missed. His guitar chops are widely heralded, and here at Shine A Light Productions we don't think it's an understatement to call him the best guitar player of his generation, for he can deftly channel Chuck Berry or Jimmy Page, Django Reinhardt or Jimi Hendrix. Most importantly, he also can sound like Brad Barr, and that's something no other player out there can claim.
Barr's new solo album, The Fall Apartment (Tompkins Square Records), features 11 instrumental tracks, and if you visit the Tompkins Square release page, you can get a free mp3 of "Newst Flurries". The album features imaginative arrangements, including a haunting cover of Kurt Cobain's "Heart Shaped Box".Barr is currently on tour with his Slip bandmates backing Sonya Kitchell, and Barr is oftentimes performing a solo set to open the show, so be sure to go early to catch these rare solo sets. Full tour dates and more information about Barr available on his MySpace page.
