Album

The full artist credit on the cover of The Art of Modern-Primitive Guitar is "Shawn Persinger Is Prester John." One thinks automatically of John Fahey's early alter ego Blind Joe Death, and even a cursory listen suggests that one is meant to. Classically trained but with a polyglot sensibility that covers folk, rock and avant-garde composers as well, Persinger combines his various influences in a way that's unique but never tediously "difficult." Other possible influences that come to mind while listening to this 19-track, 45-minute album include Henry Kaiser and the gentler side of Fred Frith. The Art of Modern-Primitive Guitar is a pleasant, occasionally fascinating listen, but sometimes Persinger's brief pieces feel more like sketches than properly completed compositions. The best tracks, like "Matthieu's Accurate Portrait (Grotesque)," are charming instrumental explorations, but some of the shorter pieces tease the listener with the suggestion of an intriguing rhythmic or melodic idea that's over before it can be fully enjoyed.

© Stewart Mason, All Music Guide

CD 1
Shawn Persinger Composer Blood, for guitar Work Shawn Persinger Guitar, Philip Blackburn Director
1	Blood, for guitar	0:48			$0.99
Shawn Persinger Composer Zero Percent, for guitar Work Shawn Persinger Guitar, Philip Blackburn Director
2	Zero Percent, for guitar	1:45			$0.99
Shawn Persinger Composer 30 Krowns 300 Zlotys, for guitar Work Shawn Persinger Guitar, Philip Blackburn Director
3	30 Krowns 300 Zlotys, for guitar	2:27			$0.99
Shawn Persinger Composer Talking Dumb, for guitar Work Shawn Persinger Guitar, Philip Blackburn Director
4	Talking Dumb, for guitar	3:10			$0.99
Shawn Persinger Composer Equine Medley, for guitar Work Shawn Persinger Guitar, Philip Blackburn Director
5	Equine Medley, for guitar	2:26			$0.99
Shawn Persinger Composer Sandpaper Polish, for guitar Work Shawn Persinger Guitar, Philip Blackburn Director
6	Sandpaper Polish, for guitar	1:33			$0.99
Shawn Persinger Composer Leaving Jerusalem, for guitar Work Shawn Persinger Guitar, Philip Blackburn Director
7	Leaving Jerusalem, for guitar	3:17			$0.99
Shawn Persinger Composer Dot... Another Dot, for guitar Work Shawn Persinger Guitar, Philip Blackburn Director
8	Dot... Another Dot, for guitar	1:09			$0.99
Shawn Persinger Composer Betray Your Country, for guitar Work Shawn Persinger Guitar, Philip Blackburn Director
9	Betray Your Country, for guitar	2:58			$0.99
Shawn Persinger Composer Ford's Offer, for guitar Work Shawn Persinger Guitar, Philip Blackburn Director
10	Ford's Offer, for guitar	4:01			$0.99
Shawn Persinger Composer Bellevue Bed & Breakfast Theme and Variations, for guitar Work Shawn Persinger Guitar, Philip Blackburn Director
11	Bellevue Bed & Breakfast Theme and Variations, for guitar	2:05			$0.99
Shawn Persinger Composer Holiday Medley, for guitar Work Shawn Persinger Guitar, Philip Blackburn Director
12	Holiday Medley, for guitar	6:20			$0.99
Shawn Persinger Composer Matthieu's Accurate Portrait (Grotesque), for guitar Work Shawn Persinger Guitar, Philip Blackburn Director
13	Matthieu's Accurate Portrait (Grotesque), for guitar	2:36			$0.99
Shawn Persinger Composer Sherman Hairpin, for guitar Work Shawn Persinger Guitar, Philip Blackburn Director
14	Sherman Hairpin, for guitar	2:09			$0.99
Shawn Persinger Composer An Extra Dollar, for guitar Work Shawn Persinger Guitar, Philip Blackburn Director
15	An Extra Dollar, for guitar	2:01			$0.99
Shawn Persinger Composer Stupid, Stupid Rain, for guitar Work Shawn Persinger Guitar, Philip Blackburn Director
16	Stupid, Stupid Rain, for guitar	2:04			$0.99
Shawn Persinger Composer The Day After Christmas, for guitar Work Shawn Persinger Guitar, Philip Blackburn Director
17	The Day After Christmas, for guitar	1:03			$0.99
Shawn Persinger Composer Factotum Pole, for guitar Work Shawn Persinger Guitar, Philip Blackburn Director
18	Factotum Pole, for guitar	3:15			$0.99
Shawn Persinger Composer Gray Green Yellow, for guitar Work Shawn Persinger Guitar, Philip Blackburn Director
19	Gray Green Yellow, for guitar	0:21			$0.99