One of my favorite successfully obscure guitarists is Michael Chapdelaine. Not many know of him, but they should.
Chapdelaine’s thoughtful fingerstyle arrangements and compositions feature intensely emotional interpretations presented with flawless technique. In all his work, there’s a palpable sense of personal surrender to the music, a retreat of ego into the spirit of the piece. It’s like every tune is a deep meditation. I appreciate that quality.
Most videos I’ve seen has him playing various beautiful boutique acoustic guitars, and equally lovely classics. Here he’s playing a beautiful blue archtop made by luthier Kim Walker.
One thing that caught my ear was how Chapdelaine was able to maintain a steady bass line while the melody darted about against that rhythmic foundation with such free and easy independence… it truly sounds like two players, not an easy thing to do.
