Bailey, Derek
Solo Guitar Volume 1 (2lp)
'Solo Guitar Volume 1,' recorded in 1971, was Derek Bailey's first solo album and is now considered iconic. The cover features a memorable photo montage taken in the guitar shop where Bailey worked _ where he was fired after piling up the instruments for the shoot while the owner was at lunch. The LP was released in two versions, each featuring different groupings of free improvisations alongside Bailey's interpretations of notated pieces by friends Misha Mengelberg, Gavin Bryars, and Willem Breuker. The album showcases Bailey's groundbreaking approach to guitar, marked by endless inventiveness, intelligence, and wit. The collection on this album includes all those tracks, plus a standout 1972 solo performance at York University on side 4 that was previously unissued.