Daniel (A.I.U.) Higgs - Hymnprovisations for Banjo

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5...according to our Brian on Thu 08 Jul, 2010.

I've never heard someone make a banjo sound as transcendental as this guy. Ex-Lungfish legend & apparent tattoo artist extraordinaire Higgs has this beauty back in print at last. Recorded with occasional interludes/accompaniment from just a "decaying" piano & the swell sound of pure raindropery, this album has the spirit of a lost lo-fi John Fahey classic. I've just never heard such a spiritually affecting & simultaneously punk rock record constructed from this relatively maligned instrument before. Combining raga scales, classic minimalism and rock-riffing intensity, 'Hymnprovisations' is a powerful & incredibly moving record, both soothing & intensifying in its execution. Superb.

Screenprinted covers made in Ypsilanti. Black vinyl made in Leipzig. Some people are riding the silver river. Daniel A.I.U. Higgs is a creative magician based in Baltimore and he is one of them. With a background as singer of the legendary DC post-punk band Lungfish and before that hardcore outfit Reptile House, as legendary tattoo artist with connections to Ed Hardy and extremely influential to the scene to his actions as esoteric poet, writer, banjo player, his rhythmical and transcendal Jewish mouth harp playing - he is no doubt one of the most interesting artists around right now. I am almost tempted to use the word - rennaisance man, but I refuse to do so... "Hymnprovisations for Banjo" was recorded in Paris and Mainland Orkney Island in late 2007 and consists of magic banjo tunes, an old decaying piano and rain. Higgs has a unique presence in these songs, even though it's instrumental music, but then again - Higgs always has an unique presence. This is experimental folk music for any progressive culture! For any thinking human being! For any open mind. This is truly honest, pure and deep music.

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