When I think of solo guitar version of Beatles songs, I often picture acoustic fingerstyle guitar versions of these songs. That’s why when I received an email from Calvin Travers, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that his versions are played on electric guitar.
To add to that, he plays them all in DADGAD tuning (a personal favorite tuning of mine ever since Eric Roche taught me songs in this tuning back in 2003).
Hearing Calvin play in DADGAD is interesting as he doesn’t overplay the open string and harmonics. Instead, I hear a refined musician using the song to guide the way.
The EP begins with version of Don’t Let Me Down. It goes into an understated Jimi Hendrix vibe focusing on groove and musicality. Calvin plays with good tone and time throughout allowing us to hear the music.
Here, There and Everywhere is performed with a lot of taste, lyricism & dynamics. I found myself nodding my head as I listened to it.
Something closes the EP with a beautiful ostinato part accompanying the melody. Again, we can hear the lyrical playing shine in this performance.
All in all, although this is a short 3 track EP, it’s one that I have listened to many times for these past few months (especially while washing dishes or today during a quiet afternoon after the rain.) Strongly recommended for fans of tasteful lyrical instrumental guitar playing ‘ala Bill Frisell, Julian Lage and Eric Roche.
Rating: 4/5
Listen, watch & learn to play the songs from this EP here:
https://www.calvintravers.co.uk/plays-the-beatles
About Calvin Travers (by Calvin Travers)
As a graduate of Leeds College of Music I have been working as a sideman backing up artists and performing with an array of bands for a number of years now. This has led me to performing at events in UK venues such as Wembley Stadium for the England football teaM, PRESTIGIOUS LONDON JAZZ CLUB RONNIE SCOTTS as well as international performances for clients such as Jaguar in Jordan.
In the summer of 2017 I began writing and producing my own music under my own name featuring vocalist Josh Johnson.
My first single ‘Back to the River’ was featured on BBC 6 Music radio described as ‘Beautifully written and produced’, following this I have released 3 more singles over the year in which i’ve had the chance to stretch out as a guitarist as the music has found its sound with my latest single ‘Out of Sight’, again on BBC 6 Music, ‘Fantastic liquid playing, the groovy guitar wizard Calvin Travers’ Tom Robinson.
Official website: https://www.calvintravers.co.uk/