Derek Dallinger

Out of Thin Air 1995 CD $12.


If you like upbeat arrangements of new standards played with feeling and precision on a solo instrument, you'll enjoy Derek's innovative harmonic and rhythmic approach to The Stick. The title, "Out of Thin Air", was no doubt born out of the Himalayas as the CD cover photo shows. He has travelled several years around India and Tibet with Stick and amps, street busking for a living.

This CD introduces Derek as a distinctive instrumental stylist, recognizable by his use of melodic sixths, his bass arpeggios with sparkling harmonics, and his fast rhythmic "rides" (as in the Beatles' "Blackbird"). His abstracted rendition of J. S. Bach's "Ave Maria" without any melody is very effective.