Good morning.
Today we’re listening to Marisa Anderson, an American guitarist and composer based in Portland. She picked up the guitar at age 10 as an act of rebellion against playing the clarinet.1 At 19 she dropped out of college and roamed the country, agitating for local causes and absorbing musical folkways.2 An avid walker, she’s traversed America on foot several times, and the pace of her gait often sets the tempo for her original pieces.3 Since we last recommended her in 2019, she’s released three LPs, which carry her signature style of improv-heavy, up-close playing. Still, Here from 2022 is a collection of subdued, doleful numbers. The other two recent records are collaborations: 2021’s Lost Futures pairs her with guitarist William Tyler, while 2020’s Quickening features drummer Jim White.
Still, Here - Marisa Anderson (30m, no vocals)
Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube Music / Amazon Music / Bandcamp / Tidal
Lost Futures - Marisa Anderson & William Tyler (40m, no vocals)
Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube Music / Amazon Music / Bandcamp / Tidal
The Quickening - Marisa Anderson & Jim White (40m, no vocals)
Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube Music / Amazon Music / Bandcamp / Tidal
Have a great Thursday.
What a beautiful recommendation. Hand't heard of her so far, but "Still, Here" is such a gem. Thank you for continued inspiration.
I found Marisa via some John Fahey related ramblings. I had no idea about the cross country trekking. Thank you for that detail. Definitely something ambulatory about her cadences.