Kevin Kastning - 2026 - Codex III / Codex IV

(42:31 / 39:38; Greydisc)























Kevin’s ninth and tenth solo albums are a continuation of his last two, being the third and fourth in the Codex series. In each case he is playing either 36-string Double Contraguitar, 30-string Contra-Baritone guitar, 30-string Double Contraguitar, 24-string Double Sub-Contraguitar or 6-string guitar, and when it is the double necks, he plays with one hand on each and they have been recorded in that manner. This means that when playing on headphones it is possible to hear the two necks on separate channels so the listener can understand a little more of what Kevin is doing.

There are no overdubs, everything was recorded live, and knowing Kevin it is probable that he was live composing at the time, going where the music took him as opposed to being fully scored and composed ahead of time. I have lost count of how many of his albums I have listened to and reviewed, and there is always that initial wonder on how he can play so many strings yet always know where the notes are situated (plus the actual physical stresses of playing these instruments). But that initial wonder always gives way to becoming engrossed in what is happening in front of my ears as Kevin builds a sonic palette like no other. 

He is not the only solo guitarist I listen to, but many if not all of those use electronic effects to create the sounds they hear in their heads while Kevin sits down with a guitar and apart from a slight reverb there is no studio trickery put onto the acoustic strings. For years Kevin was unable to play the music he wanted due to the constraints of the instrument, so he just came up with new ones which due his mastery allows him to take music in totally different directions which would be impossible otherwise. Music like this will never trouble the mainstream, yet those who hear and understand realise they have been presented with a wonderful gift which is unlike anything else they will ever come across musically. One can only imagine what would have happened if Kevin had ever crossed paths with Anthony Phillips or Rog Patterson. Now there’s a thought… 

This is yet another incredibly enthralling release which lovers of stringed instruments and guitars would do very well to investigate. 

Kev Rowland, August 2026

Links:
https://www.kevinkastning.com/
http://www.greydisc.com/

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