Uploaded to Aural Innovations: October 2003
Eric Wallack burst on to the free-improvisation scene barely more than a year ago when he released his Vermis CD, a collection of solo guitar pieces that revealed a keen ability to produce avant-garde music that is highly accessible and aesthetically pleasing, while still being adventurous and creatively complex. Hot on the heels of Vermis, Eric released his interpretation of the story of Grendel, played completely on steel string Silvertone acoustic guitar, an album which further illustrated Eric's talents as not only an imaginative improvisor but a highly skilled musician. And from there Eric has appeared to be an artist possessed. Having long been aware of the D.I.Y. improv scene, but not an active participant, Eric has been aggressively collaborating during 2003, churning out a stunning variety of music and projects that include such underground luminaries as Bret Hart, Greg Segal, Don Campau, Rotcod Zzaj, Ernesto Diaz-Infante, Bob Jordan and Harlan Mark Vale, with more exciting things in works.
Below you will find links to an interview with Eric plus several reviews of recent recordings. Readers are advised to peruse all the reviews in order to appreciate the scope of Eric's stylistic interests, which range from avant-garde free-improvisation to space-ambient, and much in between. Now read on...