Albert Vila - Levity '2023

Tracks list

Tracklist

01. Eleanor Rigby
02. A Felicidade
03. Hijo De La Luna
04. Lullaby of Birdland
05. Redemption Song
06. Everything Happens To Me
07. River Man
08. Levity

Levity in these times usually refers to a state of humorousness or lightness of
manner. From the liner notes of guitarist Albert Vila's Levity, however, we read
that levity was originally thought to be a physical force, like gravity, but
pulling in the opposite direction.

But consider a word grown from the same root as "levity," the word "levitation,"
which refers to rising from the Earth under the influence of an unseen power. In
this sense there is no better description of the solo guitar artistry of Albert
Vila. His guitar work is light, sparking, and floating it seems along with wispy
clouds. It knows nothing of gravity.

On his first solo effort, Vila—who sounds as if he owes a debt to
guitarist Ralph Towner—explores seven covers and one original composition
with studied deftness as he picks out the melodies inside gorgeous, airbrushed
reharmonizations that he lays on with the lightest touch. He plays tunes of of
The Beatles ("Eleanor Rigby"), Antonio Carlos Jobim ("A Felcidad"), George
Shearing ("Lullaby Of Birdland"), Bob Marley's ("Redemption Song"), Nick Drake's
("Riverman") and more.

Vila's nimbleness and obvious love for the music he has chosen could result in
what might be mistaken for a classical recital: sophisticated, understated,
polished, presented by a virtuosic player. It is music that could be served up
in the tasting room of a posh winery, for very fortunate wine tasters. But the
familiar melodies emerge, of a pop song, a jazz standard, a folk tune, or some
reggae. He reminds one of Brad Mehldau—another artist with borderless,
wide-ranging musical tastes combined with the highest level of musical skills.

The title tune closes the disc, perhaps the lightest of tunes here, and as
pretty and engaging as anything that came before it on this outstanding solo
outing.



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