To be honest, the last time Guthrie Trapp crossed my bow was four years ago, when he was touring with dobro master Jerry Douglas and they played the Strand Theater here in Rockland, ME. Douglas may have been the night’s star, but Trapp earned the crowd’s attention in his own way. Here’s an excerpt from my notes that night:

And when guitarist Guthrie Trapp (Douglas’ nephew, as it turns out) ripped into a lead, look out: all hands made room as Trapp stalked the stage, his steely facial expression looking as if he were defying any given laws concerning dexterity and physics. It was almost a relief to see him smile between songs.Apart from his intensity, what I remember of Trapp from that night was his versatility, doling out everything from Tele twang to fierce flatpicking; gentle cascades to jazzy flurries.

It was obvious the guy could do whatever he had a mind to – and you had to wonder what he would do if presented with an empty canvas on his own terms.

No more wondering: Guthrie Trapp has released his debut solo album. Pick Peace is virtuosity without unnecessary flash; beautifully recorded without sounding polished to death; and offers a fusion of sounds that manage to mix things up without losing their focus. This is the payoff for years of honing his craft as a featured sideman with others: Trapp’s Pick Peace is a fine piece of work.

Click HERE to read the rest at Jambands.com