Pitchfork

For the follow-up to last year's well-loved (and Recommended and year end list-making) The Cloud of Unknowing, British acoustic axeman James Blackshaw put the guitar down for a moment to tickle a few ivories-- a Blackshaw first on record.

That said, Litany of Echoes (as the new album is called) isn't a total instrument-swapper like Mingus Plays Piano or something, since Blackshaw is still largely sticking to the finger-picking that he does best. He just happened to throw a little piano on the new disc, as he's been doing quite a bit during his live appearances. Litany finds Blackshaw once again joined by Fran Bury, who contributes violin and viola. The record is due June 17 from Tompkins Square.

Blackshaw has a handful of European tour dates lined up through the spring and summer. The next takes place tonight (May 7) in Spain.

Litany of Echoes:

01 Gate of Ivory
02 Past Has Not Passed
03 Echo and Abyss
04 Infinite Circle
05 Shroud
06 Gate of Horn

Blackshaw:

05-07 Huesca, Spain - Centro Cultural Matadero
05-16 London, England - Cafe Oto
05-17 Stockholm, Sweden - Ugglan Festival
05-20 London, England - St Giles-in-the-Fields Church
05-27 Paris, France - Mains D'oeuvres
07-08-10 Zaragoza, Spain - Expo Zaragoza
07-25-27 Haugesund, Norway - Safe as Milk Festival