Imitation Fields by Ben Garnett
IMITATION FIELDS is a vivid dreamscape of acoustic immediacy and electronic fantasy, and the debut solo album by guitarist/composer Ben Garnett. Heartbreaking melodies feel like an outpouring; deep trancelike pulses and unintelligible “sounds” articulate the mood; and acoustic nuances wholly demonstrate the craft. The electronic manipulation is at times like the voice of a disarming narrator, turning momentarily from the live performance and speaking to you directly. Jazz-informed arrangements form the basis of an album you’d call “experimental string band” by any measure, and Ben’s ingenuity attracted the participation of some of the genre’s most acclaimed players. It’s refreshing to hear how Ben utilizes them. Produced by Chris Eldridge (Punch Brothers), the album features him on additional guitar, Brittany Haas and Billy Contreras (fiddles), Paul Kowert (bass), Matthew Davis (banjo), Dominick Leslie (mandolins), and a string quartet. Fans of progressive acoustic music will hear familiar sounds deployed in new ways, and all around music lovers will find themselves descending into a gorgeously unusual sonic naturescape. The music is new, relatable, and delivered with intent. Not short on ambition, IMITATION FIELDS culminates into a dense, beautiful debut that is self-assured and singular.
“Ben Garnett has made a beautiful record. Songs that are modern and musical, bringing out the best in every musician involved. I’ll be listening to this for a long time.”
–Bryan Sutton
Tracklist
| 1. | Imitation Fields | 1:50 |
| 2. | Thirty One Mouths | 6:00 |
| 3. | Open Your Books | 3:24 |
| 4. | Moriarty | 7:55 |
| 5. | Starlings | 5:04 |
| 6. | Pt. 1 Love Theme | 1:29 |
| 7. | Nepal | 5:42 |
| 8. | The House on Wisteria | 4:58 |
| 9. | Cents of Belonging | 2:00 |
| 10. | Pt. 2 What Is This Thing Called Love? | 5:40 |
| 11. | Blue Thread | 3:57 |
Credits
Imitation Fields (2023)
An album by Ben Garnett
Produced by Chris Eldridge, Asst. Production by Ben Garnett
Recorded by Ben Surratt at the Rec Room Studio, Nashville, TN
Additional Recording by Joe Pisapia, Nashville, TN
Mixed by Tomek Miernowski
Mastered by Gavin Lurssen at Lurssen Mastering, Los Angeles, CA
Cover Artwork by Santiago Perez
Package Design by Loren Witcher
All music composed by Ben Garnett (Ben Garnett ASCAP), except track 2 by Ben Garnett (Ben Garnett ASCAP) and Skyler Hill (Strings and Other Things ASCAP), and track 10 by Cole Porter (WB Music Corp.), arranged by Ben Garnett (Ben Garnett ASCAP).
Musicians:
Billy Contreras fiddle 1, 2, 4
Matthew Davis banjo 1, 2, 3, 7
Dominick Leslie mandolin/mandola 1, 2, 3
Paul Kowert bass 1-8, 10, 11
Ben Garnett guitar 1-5, 7-11/electronics 1-10/vocals 3
Brittany Haas fiddle 3-8, 10
Chris Eldridge guitar 5, 7, 11
Annaliese Kowert violin 6, 10
Jay Dent cello 6, 10
Matt Young snare drum/glockenspiel 8
bengarnett.net
padiddlerecords.com
PDD-009 © & © Ben Garnett.
