Principally recorded at Crisp Studios, Fayetteville, Arkansas from November 5-7, 1999, Sound On Sound, New York, New York on January 27 & 28, 1999 and The Shop Studios, Boulder, Colorado. A guitarist of remarkable range and proficiency, Richard Leo Johnson is one of those musicians who sounds like a full band unto himself. Unlike the solo guitar showcases on his debut FINGERTIP SHIP, however, Johnson recruited a cast of backing musicians for this album, including accordionist Andy Reinhardt, percussionist Cyro Baptista, bassist Reggie Washington, and drummer Matt Wilson. The recording of LANGUAGE is interesting too: the musicians wrote their parts separately while listening to tapes of Johnson's original guitar tracks (with no idea what the other musicians were contributing). Remarkably, the album is organic, cohesive, and full of complex, expert interplay. The opener "Hip Hop Zep," with its looping, percussive melodies (abetted by the propulsive rattle of a washboard) serves notice that Johnson's music will be challenging and accessible at once. The faint strains of an English horn grace the lovely "Sweet Jane Thyme" and a soprano sax glides melodically through "1-5-90," but Johnson's lush, arpeggiated lines, harmonics, and cross-rhythms still dominate the songs (he even has the spotlight to himself on the excellent "New West Helena Blues." ) Some of the record is lilting, some of it is intense, but LANGUAGE overflows with musical chemistry and technical flair. Personnel: Richard Leo Johnson (6- & 12-string guitars, pedal steel guitar); Warren Haynes (acoustic slide guitar); Tess Johnson (cello); Paul McCandless (oboe, English horn, soprano saxophone); Andy Reinhardt (accordion); Glen Moore (upright bass); Reggie Washington (electric bass); Matt Wilson (drums); James "The Worm" Wormsworth (washboard); Cyro Baptista (percussion). Dirty Linen (8-9/01, p. 84) - "... An Oregon-type style of music that is as innovative as it is impressive... ". R1