Kick off your shoes and revel in the twang-tastic world of Lage the Tele-master. In barely 40 minutes and 11 songs Lage and his tight little trio dance and swing through an array of bluegrass and Americana-tinged songs: just file under fun with super-added panache. Given the format and Wollesen's presence it's no surprise there are echoes of Frisell's early trio work here; but this is very much Lage finding his own voice while, in the best of traditions, nodding to the masters. If Arclight focused on Lage's ability to express himself in many voices, Modern Lore's sound palette is narrower, yet stronger for that choice. As on the opening strut of ‘The Ramble’, or the edge of ‘Roger the Dodger’, Lage has the means to cut a crystal clear solo with a sublime, scalpel-like clarity: yet this is never a triumph of technique over emotion; ‘Wordsmith’ has a charm, drive and quiet joy that will have you whistling in the shower. The only mystery about this recording is why Lage is shot chiaroscuro style on the cover, making him look like young Lincoln. I swear Abe was a Strat man…