By BARRY BASSIS
Published: October 10, 2000

Last year's "Fingertip Ship" (Metro Blue) marked the debut of Richard Leo Johnson, hailed by Playboy Magazine as "the most innovative guitarist-since Jimi Hendrix." The recording by the mostly self-taught Arkansas virtuoso was notable for several reasons. It was a solo acoustic album of 12-string guitar, an instrument not often used in jazz. Johnson also has a penchant for unusual tunings. On his second album, "Language" (Blue Note), he plays with a wish-list of musicians with different styles, including Paul McCandless (of the group Oregon) on oboe, English horn and soprano saxophone; Andy Reinhardt on accordion; percussionist Cyro Baptista; Allman Brothers slide guitarist Warren Haynes; and Johnson's 10-year-old daughter on cello.
The way he put the album together is just as unusual as his playing. Johnson recorded the guitar part and then sent out tapes to the others, who improvised the rest: As he explains, "The only thing anyone heard was my guitar parts. It was kind of a risky thing to try, but I am always fascinated by the element of chance. Plus the idea of having such high caliber musicians participate in my recording was quite a fantasy"
Surprisingly, it all comes out in a seamless tapestry. While the guitarist can knock you out with his technique, he is also capable of charm. Check out his versions of the standards "Cheek to Cheek" and "Happy Talk," or his love song for his wife. The album closes with an emotional piece, "Ritual Ground," dedicated to the memory of the guitarist's great uncle, who committed suicide.