Londoner James Blackshaw is still yet to reach the age of 30, but has already made anincredible impact on the cannon of modern acoustic guitar music. Blackshaw’s accomplished guitar work is often likened to that of the 12-string masters Bert Jansch, John Fahey and LeoKottke, and also finds kindred spirits in minimalist composers Steve Reich and Philip Glass. He is a superb young talent whose nimble and embellished compositions have been described by Dusted Magazine as “meditative mindfuck” and “a great soundtrack for settling dusk on a deep summer’s day” and by Rolling Stone as “one of the best and most original instrumentalists in the new, acoustic renaissance.”

Having marked his presence with the release of several limited CD-R albums – all of which were reissued by Tompkins Square in 2008 – Blackshaw’s dazzling style of deep beauty has now graced eight albums, the latest being ‘The Glass Bead Game’ for Michael Gira’s Young God label. ‘The Glass Bead Game’ sees Blackshaw swapping his guitar for piano in some pieces, and also employing vocals, harmonium, cello and violin for what The Observer said was “full to the breaking point of bliss itself” and “the most forward-thinking and sublimely executed of James Blackshaw’s releases to date”.James Blackshaw will perform solo for the first time in Sydney on Sunday March 7 at Raval in Surry Hills. It promises one of the great live experiences of 2010. Tickets are extremely limited.

James Blackshaw

with special guest Seaworthy

Sunday 7th, March

Raval, 42 Wentworth Ave, Surry Hills

Tickets $23 plus BF from Moshtix