If I had heard California Sigh when it was first released in 1988 I would have been bored by it, but now with more mature tastes I take in all the wonder of this solo album by Tim Buckley's lead guitarist Lee Underwood and marvel that it wasn't a huge success for lovers of solo acoustic guitar with a classical tinge. California Sigh is mainly solo acoustic guitar pieces, with additional adornment by Steve Roach on synths, Chas Smith on Pedal Steel and Kevin Braheny Fortune on Soprano Sax.
Gentle Rain pitter patters across the strings of Lee's acoustic guitar, with a gentle tone to accompany todays Gentle Rain.
Seaview ebbs and flows across the speakers fluidly, Lee's fingers strum and pick at his acoustic, lie back, contemplating a calm sea gently brushing against the sandy beach. When Steve Roach's synth adds textures like a gentle breeze it only adds to the sense of calm this music engenders.
Portals Of The Heart a super slow guitar figure is precisely plucked with nods towards Julian Bream at his most sepulchral. Lee seeks to open the Portals Of Your Heart one note at a time.
California Sigh has the sound of crashing waves beneath the florid exploration of textures with deep breaths allowing that perfect California Sigh to be released.
Lady Of The Streams has birdsong surrounding the trickle of notes cascading thoughtfully, imbued with the love Lee has for Sonia Crespi his very own Lady Of The Streams.
Venice, 68 I guess is inspired by playing Venice Beach with Tim Buckley, hearing that mating call and drifting in pursuit of it. Gentle imprecations picked expertly.
Quietude Oasis chimes with romantic figures, as a reverse crescendo dials to sound towards silence. Little Desert Cat Feel in places feels like the cat is scratching the body of the guitar to provide a little percussion as Lee slowly feels his way through the desert.
The Other Side Of Sunny has Kevin Braheny Fortunes Sporano Sax slowly wafting across shimmering textured guitar, swatches of colour brushing across beatific synth wallows, feeling like the calmest most serene classical music.
Midnight Blue is swathed in Segovian magic, tinged with Spanish flourishes, is this a midnight Showdown or Liaison. Are they tip toeing through the town, searching for a place of communion, wisps of wind, they descend towards the perfect spot. Denouement will make those blues dissipate chased away by the cold wind and claps of thunder.
Aspen Trails sounds like it's being strummed while sitting on the grass high up a trail, birds fluttering by relaxed times, among nature out in the wilds once more.
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