This Beautiful Chaos

“Relaxing, refreshing, and rejuvenating to the core, Trevor Gordon Hall has a way of eliciting multi-faceted ‘simplicity’ from within the ostensible chaos of what appears to be. Outstanding.” – Dyan Garris After what has seemed like complete chaos, we’ve all endured over the past few years, it’s lovely to find this truly refreshing acoustic guitar album by Trevor Gordon Hall. Trevor is rated one of the “top 30 under 30” guitarists by “Acoustic Guitar Magazine.” He’s also noted for his interesting guitar invention called the “kalimbatar,” which incorporates an African finger piano – a kalimba – with a guitar. Now, on to this 10-track acoustic guitar album, “This Beautiful Chaos,” which inspires us to remember that no matter how crazy things seem, life is to be lived, and all our experiences are to be cherished and honored. The album features 6 different guitars: Standard acoustic, baritone acoustic, nylon string, high strung guitar, electric guitar, and a Portuguese instrument named “Viola Amarantina.” This music found here is the apex of Trevor’s life experiences, ranging from people he has met, concerts he has played around the world, different cultures he’s encountered, things he’s read, music he’s heard, and more. Opening the album is the brief, “Chase the Chills.” From the first notes of this piece, one feels immediately relaxed and “chill.” The “breathing space” between notes is perfect here, as it is throughout the album, and this is very nicely done. What a great beginning. Following is the title track, which is 6 minutes of acoustic guitar peace. If this doesn’t calm the chaos in or around you, I think nothing will. The tranquility seeps into your soul and remains there. One thing I really like about this album is that it’s not just acoustic guitar noodling for noodling’s sake. The pieces are serene, flowing, and melodic and open the heart space in a gentle way. “Momentum and Meaning” accomplishes this without effort. So beautiful. “Know Thyself” takes us through what might be described as the intricacies of a person. I think this piece is artistically brilliant on a lot of different levels. Now, here’s another brilliant piece, “The Absence of Presence.” I really love the soft gentleness of this reflective, contemplative composition. There is always some kind of music in any seeming silence. We have only to listen. This is a favorite on this album. Fathers and daughters share a special bond. “A Daddy and His Daughter” captures that awesome sweetness perfectly. What a wonderful, sentimental piece this is. I believe “Saudade” roughly translates to “bittersweet” from the Portuguese to English. It’s a deep longing for that which one might never have again. The wistful “Saudade” is yet another favorite on this album. Trevor’s guitar playing skills are super-highlighted here. It’s yet another track to love. And by now, you’ve probably gotten the idea that for any acoustic guitar music lover, this is a “must have” album. Yes, you should get the whole thing. It’s outstanding. “Resolution in Tension” is deeply, sublimely, relaxing to every part of the psyche. No tension here. Any of that has completely disappeared and we are left with just peace, wonderful peace. So. . .”is it live or is it Memorex®?” “Ontic Blues” is a gently bluesy number, as the title indicates. Now, if I have it right, “ontic” refers to what is “real,” tangible, and physical in nature, as opposed to what is considered “metaphysical.” What is “reality?” Maybe both. In any case, this is truly a great song. This gorgeous album closes out with the perfectly lovely, “At Peace with the Struggle.” And now we know there is no struggle at all. Trevor has a way of eliciting multi-faceted “simplicity” from within the apparent chaos of what appears to be. That is definitely an art. This outstanding album is calming to the core and beautiful in every regard.

"This Beautiful Chaos" is the twelfth album from guitarist/composer Trevor Gordon Hall and contains ten original guitar solos performed on six different guitars (standard acoustic, baritone acoustic, nylon string, high strung guitar, electric guitar and a Portuguese instrument called a viola amarantina). A native of the Philadelphia, PA area, Hall was rated a "Top 30 Under 30" guitarist by "Acoustic Guitar Magazine" in 2014 and has performed concerts in at least seventeen countries around the world. "This Beautiful Chaos" was created in the solitude of Hall's Pennsylvania home, and the music was written in the early morning hours while his wife and daughter were still sleeping. Recorded, co-produced, edited, mixed and mastered by Grammy winning Corin Nelsen, the music reflects on many of life's experiences and emotions and provides a reminder that "life is crazy and chaotic, but it is beautiful." Indeed, and music of this stellar quality really helps to keep it that way! Relying on his expressive touch and heartfelt emotion rather than a lot of flashy finger-work to get his point across, Hall communicates so well without needing to "show off." "This Beautiful Chaos" begins with "Chase the Chills," a reflective piece that seems to flow freely and directly from the heart to the fingers to the guitar strings. The title track has a similar in-the-moment feeling, sharing gentle philosophical thoughts about life and its many and varied experiences. "Momentum and Meaning" has a fluid rhythm that is constantly changing and moving in different directions - sometimes serious and sometimes more whimsical, much like life itself! "The Presence of Absence" is an intriguing title, and the piece seems to be looking deeply inward, hoping to find an answer. "A Daddy and His Daughter" is a favorite, overflowing with love and innocence. The last minute or so of the piece is more playful and lighthearted, and I can almost hear the giggles of a little girl in there! "Saudade" is another favorite. The title refers to a kind of melancholy yearning that is used as a theme or motif in Portuguese literature and music. The viola amarantina played in this piece is a 10-string guitar with steel strings that give it a bright (but not harsh) sound. "Resolution in Tension" has a darker, more mysterious tone and feeling that I really like. Slow, open and very evocative, Hall says so much with so little in this poignant piece. Something of a mind massage, "At Peace With the Struggle" is an incredibly relaxed and soothing closing piece that leaves you wishing the album would go on forever. Oh well, there's always the "repeat" button, and I've hit it quite a few times already! "This Beautiful Chaos" is one of the most beautiful solo guitar albums I've heard this year! Highly recommended!