A long time member of the San Francisco Bay Area fingerstyle guitar neighborhood– in addition to a writer/editor at Acoustic Guitar for 16 years before co-founding the stringed instrument lesson website Peghead Nation in 2014– Teja Gerken records rarely, however when he does it’s constantly a cause for event. Test of Time is simply his 3rd solo album (On My Way came out in 1999 and Postcards in 2005), though my favorite of his previous releases is his magnificent 2020 Duets album with Doug Young (another AG contributing author). Young has his finger prints on this one too, co-engineering 2 tracks and blending and mastering the album, which is a sonic marvel from leading to bottom– every information and subtlety in Gerken’s impressive playing can be heard so plainly.
Test of Time is normal of Gerken’s solo live efficiencies– in reality all 10 tracks are pieces that he’s played onstage however never ever tape-recorded. There’s a great mix of designs and affects, from Celtic (“The Kerfunken Jig”) to a jazz classic (John Coltrane’s “Naima”) to J.S. Bach (a brief minuet initially for keyboard) to an initial Kottke-esque 12-string ramble (“Takoma”) to a mournful, centuries-old Scottish ballad (“Neil Gow’s Lament for the Death of His Second Wife,” had fun with significant subtlety and level of sensitivity on a National resonator). Gerken’s other wholehearted, melodic originals paint several state of minds and sensations; especially moving is his ode to his child’s birth, “11:11 PM.”
Aside from the abovementioned resonator (a 1997 Reso-Phonic Style 1 Tricone), Gerken’s toolbox on the album consists of a brilliant, shining 1999 Lowden 010; a warm-sounding 2004 Martin Custom Shop OM; and an abundant and resonant 2000 Taylor 355 12-string. Their distinctions bring another layer of range to the program, as does his innovative work of numerous tunings, consisting of DADGAD (wonderful on “Naima”!), CGDGGD, CGDGCD, CGDDBD, and CGCGCD.
All in all, Test of Time is a gorgeous and deeply gratifying album that absolutely measures up to its title, whether you’re mainly into method and guitars, or simply a casual fan (like me).