Far Afield
Miles Zurawell hails from British Columbia, Canada, and learned piano and guitar in his younger years. While in college he was introduced to the music of Bill Monroe and discovered the banjo and resonator guitar. Studying that instrument with such players as Ian Rosenberg and Mike Witcher, he soon developed his own style and presentation.
In recent years he has performed with the likes of Greg Blake, Blaine Sprouse and John Reischman. He began studying the roots music of Appalachia, old-time, Celtic, Quebecois and Hawaiian slide guitar. He was curious to see how these music styles would sound played on the banjo and more importantly the resonator guitar. Therefore, he decided to put out this debut of all-instrumental tunes with studio help from Trent Freeman (fiddle), Robert Alan Mackie (bass), Eli West (guitar, banjo), John Reischman (mandolin), and Adam Iredale-Gray (guitar).
Of the eleven selections, eight feature Zurawell on resonator guitar with solos on “Elk River Blues” and “Protestant Creature.” Other selections include the title “Far Afield,” the medley “Battle Of Cedar Creek/Sandy River Belle,” “Follow The Boot,” “January Waltz,” “End Of The World,” and “Arkansas Traveler.” He is featured on banjo on “Skating On The Harbourfront” and “Reel Du Forgeron/Reel Du Poteau Blanc.”
He ends the set with a real Hawaiian slide guitar presentation: “Rock Me In A Cradle Of Kalua.” This is a really nice project featuring Zurawell’s command of banjo and especially the resonator guitar. With superb support from the other players, this debut release is destined to introduce Zurawell to lots of new listeners and admirers.
