G.D. West

This is an ensemble version of a powerhouse 12-string instrumental. If you’re a fan of Leo Kottke, you will like it. It’s weird, aggressive mix of folk and acoustic rock with a touch of bluegrass. It also features 6- and 12-string banjo. I call the album “Shades of Gray” because the music crosses genres freely, just following my muse wherever it led.

"Instant Ambrosia" was composed in 1978 and it has been recorded once before on my "Orion Ascending" album in 1995. That version was solo acoustic 12-string accompanied by tabla drums. This version is true to the original concept I had for it 45 years ago. Only now do I have the means to create this definitive version.

The song is a very odd piece, using a kind of "raga" like theme that moves very quickly. It uses some very idiomatic 12-string characteristics that can't be done on a 6-string. Even after 45 years, it still is difficult to play. I love the challenge of playing it and audiences seem thrilled by it. It's usually my closing number because, after playing it, my hands are too spent to play anything else!

This piece features 12-string guitar and 12-string banjo, accompanied by bass and a haunting slide guitar. It uses some very strange chords and quartal harmonies. Typical of a lot of my music, it blends a lot of influences. The driving bass line comes from a Delta blues technique called "constant bass," while the chords are anything but blues.

I recorded a version of this tune in 2004 and released it on an album called "The Aztec Two-Step." This is a new arrangement, with much better recording and performance quality. Enjoy.

This is a tune I composed in 1977. Only now do I have the gear to be able to realize the arrangement that I heard in my head when I wrote it. The inspiration for the tune came while sitting out in a lawn chair with my guitar watching the stars out in the country, far away from the city lights.

"Instant Ambrosia" was composed in 1978 and it has been recorded once before on my "Orion Ascending" album in 1995. That version was solo acoustic 12-string accompanied by tabla drums. This version is true to the original concept I had for it 45 years ago. Only now do I have the means to create this definitive version.

The song is a very odd piece, using a kind of "raga" like theme that moves very quickly. It uses some very idiomatic 12-string characteristics that can't be done on a 6-string. Even after 45 years, it still is difficult to play. I love the challenge of playing it and audiences seem thrilled by it. It's usually my closing number because, after playing it, my hands are too spent to play anything else!

This is an ensemble version of a powerhouse 12-string instrumental. If you’re a fan of Leo Kottke, you will like it. It’s weird, aggressive mix of folk and acoustic rock with a touch of bluegrass. It also features 6- and 12-string banjo. I call the album “Shades of Gray” because the music crosses genres freely, just following my muse wherever it led.

This started out originally as a 12-string piece with some additional guitar and a fretless bass track. The “orchestrations” are actually harmonized electric guitars. A pretty, contemplative tune.

The first 12-string song I ever wrote, 45 years ago. Still an audience favorite.

This arrangement of a holiday favorite features 12-string and 6-string guitars, 6- and 12-string banjitar, mandolin, and acoustic bass guitar.

This was a song I wrote back in 1977 on my first 12-string. It has remained an audience favorite all this time.