Golden Brown “Wide Ranging Rider” LP (Inner Islands)

Golden Brown is the longstanding solo endeavor of Stefan Beck and “Wide Ranging Rider” is his fourth release with Inner Islands. This new collection brings together a range of compositions, most of which were written during the spring of 2020. The album also features previously unrecorded tracks like WRR I, which has been in development for over two decades and holds special significance for Beck as one of his first fingerstyle compositions. The album’s title, inspired by a vivid dream, nicely captures the essence of the music’s free-spirited and expansive nature.

Beck’s decision to explore a more stripped-down approach to arrangement allows the richness of each instrument to be exposed. While some songs feature occasional subtle overdubs that enhance the melodies, like electric guitar, plucked cello, and keyboards, the album’s simplicity highlights Beck’s intricate and captivating acoustic guitar stylings. Dusty and Little Rider also showcase the prepared guitar approach that fans may be familiar with from tracks on Luminous (2022) and Gems and Minerals (2021), created by threading a strip of paper through the strings to create extra percussive resonance.

The pieces on the album were thoroughly composed before recording, unlike past albums, which have featured a larger degree of improvisation. This approach also allowed for melodic themes to recur throughout the album, tying the collection together as a unified whole. “Wide Ranging Rider” is a significant milestone in Golden Brown’s discography, showcasing his evolution with both composition and arrangement, while remaining both familiar and uniquely the voice of Stefan Beck.