American Beauty

Armed with a vintage Martin, jamjazz cat Scott Metzger steps out with Too Close to Reason, an intimate solo debut that highlights the acoustic's unique charms.

- By Jimmy Leslie. Photographs by Andy Hess, Jeff Kravitz, Filmmagic and Getty Images

SCOTT METZGER IS known for kicking out Grateful Dead grooves and whooping up cosmic electric licks in Joe Russo's Almost Dead tribute act, as well as jamming with improv maestros like Nels Cline and John Scofield. But when the live scene went dark due to COVID, Metzger followed a vintage Martin down an acoustic rabbit hole to create a cool, understated solo album. Too Close to Reason (Royal Potato Family) is mostly moody and spacious, rather than chock full of burning chops, although Metzger is capable of conjuring fire. Check into the Showdown Kids to hear his proficient gypsy jazz hands, as well as those of his violinist wife, Katie Jacoby, who also happens to hold down the fiddle gig in a little British Invasion band from London led by Pete Townshend. To hear Metzger's electric howl, turn an ear to his power trio WOLF! On the other hand, his new solo acoustic album is a truly singular effort. He plays every note, except for Jacoby's delicate violin on “Only Child".

Too Close to Reason is simply a lovely listen, and a departure from run-of-themill guitar showcases. Metzger is not trying to juggle five parts simultaneously or worried about pulling it all off alone onstage. To cut the album, he simply followed his acoustic muse, either melodically or rhythmically, and then typically threw in a complementary track, plus another for texture. The result is kind of like a duo with himself, with some sauce on the side.