North Manitou Trail by James Filkins

 

North Manitou Trail

By

James Filkins

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

James Filkins and his trusty guitar have been weaving their spell over me now for some 3 years, a plethora of singles and one previous album have paved the way forward for this most proficient of guitarists, and with each string picked and strummed comes forth excellence and quality by the bucket load, today it’s another exploration of a rare new album called North Manitou Trail.

Its American location means it is very unlikely I will ever get to visit what is a truly beautiful place, but thanks to James and this new album I can do so vicariously. The opening foray is a great beginning and one of many singles previously mentioned on this release called Walking Mojo, which I believe, is about the artist’s dog, but this onward progression begins our journey with style and great skill.

One of my favourite tracks from this release was the following musical narrative Ashes to Ashes; it reminded me of an old friend from back in the day that I hear little from now in Vin Downes, the memory palace of minor refrains was indeed quite beautiful, as was the inclusion of Crispin Campbell on cello, which in my view is such a moving and emotive instrument.

The following piece called Keweenaw was a single earlier on this year, and its vibrant harmonics were a delight to listen to, with moments of excitement and calm all rolled into one creative composition, the inclusion of Crispin Campbell on cello once more offered a sensitive and melodic juxtaposition of tone and timbre.

I remember this next song so well; it was largely due to the title, A Raft of Loons, as an ornithologist it is one bird I have seen in many countries in the northern hemisphere of our beautiful planet. Here Filkins draws a textured and at times an ambient pastiche of tones to highlight this birds movement and moments, adding in both Katie Larsen on Cello and Sav Madigan on violin was a decision of sublime genius, as their inclusion manifested layer upon layer of artistic craft for us all to enjoy, and on the longest piece of the release.

I have had the pleasure in my life time of being able to walk within nature and through many places as depicted in this next creation called Tunnel of Trees. A knock on the body of the guitar was also a nice and clever touch by the artist, as was the dreamy clarinet and flutes of Brandon Wilkins and Luis Vilca, both adding different tones and moods to this quite crafted composition.

Just a short while ago James released this next track as a single, here in Cyprus looking at this tree in bloom is a delight and so very moving, so when I listened to this fantastic offering I felt the emotions pulling at me through the contents of the performance on Wysteria in Bloom, for me there is such a mournful refrain that speaks to me from this creation, perhaps it was also that sensitive aforementioned cello as well.

We can traverse the midway point of the album now through the piece Winter Vine, Campbell is back on cello and we have a dream of a piece that we can float on and into the night with, the guitar mastery here by Filkins added quality minor chords and delicate notes, all which created a truly colourful musical narrative to enjoy.

The delicacy one can find by just changing chords and notes on a guitar is what makes it for me one of the most expressive and adaptable instruments there is, here on Sunny Park in Harbor Springs we have such a piece, also a clever interplay can be found here as well with Filkins guitar, and for the first time on the album the talents of Juan Ignacio Gobbi on viola can be heard, in partnership with the mesmeric violin of Richard Downs Jr.

My favourite moment is now, as we reach the title track from the album which of course is North Manitou Trail. The composer is joined by Jack Dryden on an instrument normally associated with jazz on an upright bass, the ultra-fluency of Brian Donohoe on saxophone also joins the party, which then does indeed add a little light jazz ethic to the creation after all.

We are now deep within the weave of the album, and as we move so carefully through this deep forest of tone we find a track that has an imploring folk styled narrative and called Regrets. The accordion of Alex Somov can be heard adding to this tapestry of tone, but for me the symbiosis formed by Filkins guitar and Oleksandra Vyentseva on violin was simply outstanding, deeply moving and so very heartfelt.

We can drift back to early 2025 and a single called, Redheads on the Wing for another beautiful nature filled reverie, one that included a charming performance from the artist, and a soft and cathartic flute courtesy of Luis Vilca, the combination was a masterful composition that was indeed very easy on the ears and the soul.

The penultimate musical journey, Tending the Garden has only recently been released as a single by the artist, for me there was something almost classical about the arrangement of the melody, but one that fitted in so well with the main body of the piece. A nice and timely partnership was formed with the composer, with the inclusion of violinist German Dmitriev, who added much to the aforementioned classical motifs.

Our final and concluding musical narrative was this gem of a composition called Squall Line, a perfect ending reverie, a memorable package of instrumental magic is created here, one that perhaps reflects on the entire journey of the album, and perhaps it should be the right thing for the very classy Crispin Campbell on cello, to partner the creator on this final manifestation.

James Filkins has done what I urge every musician to do, pay attention to detail, allowing the little moments to meld with the larger segments of the release. James has got it right on the money with this fantastic collection of fluent creations, and a true journey of sight and sound can be experienced by every willing and humble listener. With ease the artist has produced his best work thus far, and as such North Manitou Trail by James Filkins should be a huge success for the composer and musician, with utter ease.