As if inspired by spirits (or possessed?), Gwenifer Raymond rides over the strings of her Western guitar, evoking some of the most memorable melodies that have been coaxed from the instrument in recent years (or decades?). The young Brit’s deeply virtuoso playing is really quite incredible and has already driven her to a rare level of mastery on her debut album, “You Never Were Much Of A Dancer” (2018). With unreal picking precision, highly dynamic melodic progressions, and an almost-ritualistic atmosphere, Raymond immediately played her way into a lineup of luminaries such as John Fahey, Sandy Bull, and Robbie Basho and was able to hold her own there, too, regardless as to whether she was holding a guitar or banjo in her hand. Two years later, she once again proved herself on “Strange Lights Over Garth Mountain” (2020) and is now one of the new exceptional talents in a genre that has always had a certain outsider role in a land somewhere between folk, blues, and country. And even though Raymond would certainly not feel uncomfortable with this as a highly talented singer–songwriter, her success is more than deserved with every note. If you want to say you were there in ten years, you definitely shouldn’t miss her concert in Hamburg.