Sky, by Will Bernard and Beth Custer

Sky

by Will Bernard and Beth Custer

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lschiff Just heard "Glistening Spirt"--gorgeous!

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1.	Bear in Shamanic Transformation 02:35	info	buy track
2.	The Curve 02:51	info	buy track
3.	Fence 02:14	info	buy track
4.	Glistening Spirit 04:27	info	buy track
5.	Rhymes with Buster 02:26	info	buy track
6.	Sky 02:44	info	buy track
7.	Sweeping Staircase 02:41	info	buy track
8.	John Brown's Body 02:48		buy track
9.	Luv Jones 03:01	info	buy track
10.	Not Too Fancy 03:00	info	buy track
11.	Daikon Radish 02:26	info	buy track
12.	Stain 03:47	info	buy track
13.	Not Necessarily Stoned 05:23	info	buy track
14.	Simone 02:41	info	buy track
15.	Deadpan 02:13	info	buy track
16.	White Horse Shoes 02:33	info	buy track

about

Guitarist Will Bernard and clarinetist/singer Beth Custer have forged a remarkable, musical partnership that spans decades and is reflected in their upcoming release SKY. From the opening, wistful ‘Bear in Shamanic Transformation’ to the deep and doleful ‘The Curve’, from the Chopin influenced ‘Sweeping Staircase’ waltz to the bluesy ‘Not Necessarily Stoned, ‘SKY’ features diverse compositional styles and instrumental mastery. Sixteen tracks take the listener on a 52-minute sweet, luscious excursion; one that pulls the listener in, leaving them wanting to take the SKY trip again and again. Recorded by Jeff Cressman Studios in San Francisco, mastered by Jeremy Goody of Oakland, and produced by Bernard and Custer, SKY is made of mostly first takes, with very little over- dubbing. Sonically, Custer’s growling bass and soaring Bb clarinets, and her unique, tender voice mix enticingly with Bernard’s palate of guitar sounds that include acoustic and electric lap steels, vintage acoustics, resonator guitars and both clean and effect drenched electrics. When listening you feel as if you’re in the room with the duo, the recording is so intimate. Trail- blazing in its simplicity, the CD showcases a musical endeavor that is deeply listenable and multi-dimensional. ‘SKY’ is one for the permanent collection.

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"These two creatives have been soul mates for a long, long time. All you have to do is glimpse at the inside fold of Sky and see the archival photo of the two together from the brilliant Berkeley, California jazz renaissance that swept the Bay Area from the late ‘70s through the late ‘90s. Today guitarist Will Bernard and clarinetist Beth Custer have formed a remarkable partnership of captivating improvisation-fueled songs that are calmly lyrical, meditative, diverse in influences, playful in stretches. Will masters the acoustic guitars as well as sprinkles the jolts of resonator and electric lap steel guitars while Beth goes deep with bass and B flat clarinets. They circle each other, they layer each other, they join with delicious harmonies. They change directions, such as on the journey tune “Luv Jones.” Will leads and Beth supports with percussive clarinet pops, then the guitar plays rhythm to uplift her free improvisation that are full of color. Special album that will show up on multiple top 10 lists at the end of the year."
- Dan Ouellette, Jazz and Beyond Intel

credits

released September 1, 2023

Will Bernard - Guitar
Beth Custer - Clarinets and Voice
All songs written by Will Bernard and Beth Custer except "John Brown’s Body" (Trad.)

license

about

Will Bernard Brooklyn, New York

discography

Sky

Sep 2023
Pond Life

May 2022
Ancient Grains

Jun 2021
Freelance Subversives

May 2020
Out & About

Mar 2016
Just Like Downtown

Aug 2013
Outdoor Living

Jan 2012
Directions to My House

Jan 2004
Motherbug

Jan 2004

contact / help

Contact Will Bernard

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