Peter Lang is a foundational figure in the American Primitivism movement, a style of solo acoustic guitar music that emerged in the 1960s and 70s. Alongside John Fahey and Leo Kottke, Lang helped elevate the acoustic guitar from an accompaniment instrument to a solo concert powerhouse.
His sound is characterized by a rigorous fingerpicking technique derived from early 20th-century blues and ragtime, often utilizing 12-string guitars to achieve a dense, orchestral resonance. His 1972 debut on Takoma Records established him as a technical peer to Fahey, though Lang's work often displayed a more accessible, melodic sensibility. After a significant hiatus spent in the film and animation industry, Lang's return in the late 1990s proved his technical prowess remained intact, as heard on 'Dharma Blues.' His influence is seen in the 'New Weird America' folk scene and among contemporary fingerstyle virtuosos who prioritize the physical, percussive qualities of the instrument.
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