JAMES FILKINS

             Instrumental Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar

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            “Quiet, reflective moods dominate the music on

this pleasant, self-produced disc. Michigan  steel-string guitarist James Filkins' music has New Age qualities, notably, effective use of repetition, resonance and silence. Some of the strongest performances include the opener, "Round Lake Leelanau," "Ambient Noise" and "Autrain River," all of which have well-developed themes in the aforementioned context. Filkins enlists guitarist Matt Harting and percussionists John Tornga and Marc Alderman on the title tune, which has a jazzy tinge and manages to hold the listener's interest without any flashy soloing...”

                                    Minor 7th

                                    Patrick Ragains


“ ... Like the kind of guitar music the  Tompkins Square Label is rediscovering and letting flower, Filkins gently sees how far he can push the possibilities of guitar.  Falling under the realm of new age and NAC without swallowing the wishy washy elements of either, Filkins’ music is along the line of guitar miniatures that tell stories within themselves.  A delightful diversion with an attention to craft you don’t often see/hear.”  -Midwest Record
 
“...guitar selections
that relax and meditate the imagination”

acoustiCDigest.org

 
“Acknowledging my debt to Mojo Nixon & his song "Elvis Is Everywhere", I have com
e to the  conclusion that while Elvis may not be everywhere, talent & talented people are everywhere. Specifically, there is one VERY talented guitarist in Traverse City, MI; his name is James Filkins. Devoted to his passion of alternative tunings, James' debut CD is song-after-song of stunningly beautiful guitar playing. Breathtakingly elegant & sensitive are just two adjectives that come to mind to describe all 14 songs. It is one of those all too rare CD's where the next track seems even better than the preceding one; such is the case with "Borderline Normal". 14 tracks of excellent, thoughtful & beautiful guitar playing. This is, without a doubt, the best acoustic guitar CD that I have heard in along time. Superlative in every way! James has at least one new fan in me; his guitar playing deserves many more.”               

                                                                                                                        - Guitar Nation

                                                                                                                       Norman L. Beberman

 
“Filki
ns performs on two hand-built acoustic guitars, capturing images amid the strings on titles such as “Round Lake Leelanau”, “Ambient Noise,” “Tears for a Princess” and “A Bleak December.” If you like the new age sounds of Windham Hill and the crisp, clean ring of an impeccably-played steel string guitar, then “Borderline Normal” is your ticket to ride.

                                                                         Northern Express

                                                                        Robert Downes

 

“Borderline Normal is an easy listen... soothing music that calms the spirit.  The sound quality is top-notch, which really showcases Filkins' playing and the wonderful tone of the guitars."

        Jim Tozier,

        Solid Air Records    

     Recording Artist

            “The debut album from the native USA finger-style guitarist James Filkins is a treat for the  ears. James Filkins plays primarily in altered tunings, to get his own intimate sound out of his Dermot  Mcilroy and Simon Fay guitars. All songs are very reflective and all songs are written by James Filkins himself. His guitar music feels like a continuous  flow of inspiration of the deeper layers of the soul. The first track “Round Lake Leelanau” has very nice and rich overtones. “Borderline Normal” the title track of this CD has a nice groove with additional percussion. The techniques James uses are most arpeggio play with additional strum patterns with a remarkable touching melody line as for instance, “Ducks Float” and “A Bleak December”. The last track of the CD “Holding back the Dawn” has as many of his pennings a soulful approach. James Filkins plays no killer chops but is at his best getting his own unique sound with catching and soothing melody play."         

Bridge Guitar Reviews

Henk te Veldhuis

"James Filkins’ acoustic fingerstyle guitar album, Borderline Normal could not have fallen on my desk at a better  time. The coming of winter has me entertaining visions of baking in a cozy kitchen, entertaining for the holidays, coming home cherry-cheeked after a bundled-up hike– all of which, of course, need a proper soundtrack. The warm instrumental arrangements found on Borderline Normal were made for occasions

like these ...

-Traverse Magazine

Emily Bingham    

 


“N
ice finger style acoustic guitar folk that relaxes the soul and rests the imagination for a bit.  Not to say that it isn’t an energetic burst of rock, because it is. Roots rock that reinvigorates  while it coaxes. Definitely a nifty instrumental listen, especially for those of you that play guitar—or any stringed instrument for that matter.”

                    Smother.net

                        J.Sin

 
"James Filkins's acoustic guitar CD derives its title from the alternate tunings of its 14 tracks ... the clear, melodic instrumentals on Borderline Normal speak eloquently for themselves. If you like the sound of fingerpicked acoustic guitar, this CD is for you -- and if you don't, Borderline Normal may just succeed in converting you. His compositions are crisp and confident, yet produce a relaxed, easygoing ambience. ... Filkins gets just about everything right with Borderline Normal. ...There are no synthesisers or cheesy sound effects, just good, unadulterated guitar music and sound quality so sharp that it often seems like Filkins is playing in the same room...Uncluttered and full of homegrown integrity, this CD is the perfect companion to a summer afternoon ...”

Rambles - Cultural Arts Magazine

Jennifer Mo

 

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"Veteran acoustic fingerstyle guitarist James Filkins of Traverse City adroitly and beautifully performs 14 original instrumental songs here, ranging from folk to new age to jazz."

          Grand Rapids Press

          John Sinkevics

               Mlive.com

“Borderline Normal ... sounds that make for an intimate experience, like you are sitting there in his house on a Saturday night listening to beautiful guitar and acoustic percussion – possibly the inspiration of track 2, Front Porch Serenade. As I listened to James play his custom hand-built guitar, I was in awe of the mastery and ease to which the music flows from his fingers and heart. This artist truly loves music and plays it without pretense or sophisticated technology. This is great music to play on the front porch or back deck or in the car. It is relaxing, real and down to earth. We all need a little of that, I believe.”

Innerchange  Magazine

Cherie Lassiter                                                                                     

 

“James Filkins isn't sure how to categorize his acoustic guitar music, which draws some of its inspiration from life in northern Michigan...”             

                                       T.C. Record Eagle

                                          Tom Carr