If this is all Noël Akchoté has to say, I’d say it’s quite a lot. Not since Derek Bailey has anyone, at least to my ears, make skeletal sketches sound to full. This is a solo album of standards sparsely arranged and performed on electric guitar. The most touching piece, Are You Lonesome Tonight, shows the beauty of the instrumentation, even if we’re lacking the voice of Elvis to fill this out.

Expect a few more reviews of Noël’s work here. He’s always busy crafting some new work of art, and collaborating with some fine new talent.