Listen: Julian Lage Previews New LP ‘Speak to Me’ with New Singles

Photo Credit: Alysse Gafkjen 

Previously, master guitarist Julian Lage announced the March 1 release of his latest musical expression, Speak to Me. The Blue Note album, produced by Joe Henry, was initially previewed alongside the first single, “Omission.” Lage has followed up, adding two new songs that present the musician’s ongoing series of narratives without words, with “76” and “As It Were.”

Speak to Me represents Lage’s fourth effort for Blue Note and features Lage’s virtuoso playing in various settings. From solo acoustic to duo and trio, with bassist Jorge Roeder and drummer Dave King. The set also sees an expansion with large ensembles that include keyboards from Kris Davis and Patrick Warren and woodwinds courtesy of Levon Henry.

“Throughout my life, I’ve always responded to music that has a narrative quality to it,” Lage offered, touching on recent compositions as less a departure than an extension of originals from previous albums, like his 2021 Blue Note debut Squint. “I believe there is a kind of connective tissue that music has, and it’s important, and it’s fun to cultivate.”

Henry also shared his thoughts upon hearing Lage’s work for the first time and feeling a sense of captivation by the perspective of the project, “For me, it became ‘How can we make a record where Julian is improvising throughout, as is his gift, while we’re also attending to the song?’ Everything had to exist in service to the song form.”

“Ever so discreetly, he would guide things,” Lage said, following up on Henry’s words.  “Joe holds a space for things to happen. Sometimes, that means getting everyone out of the way or protecting the tune from someone getting in the way. It’s like he had a forcefield around the project.”

Speak To Me is available for pre-order. Scroll down to listen to “76” and “As It Were.”