'Initiate' documents a remarkable three-day recording studio session and The Nels Cline Singers' first live concert recording, at Cafe du Nord in San Francisco. Displayed throughout the beautifully designed digipak are six photographs of the Large Hadron Collider, by photographer Simon Norfolk. A striking visual representation of the power of 'Initiate'. Nels Cline is one of the most versatile, imaginative and original guitarists active today. Combining breathtaking technique with an informed musical intelligence, the self-taught Cline displays a mastery of guitar expression that encompasses delicate lyricism, sonic abstractions, and skull-crunching flights of fancy, inspiring Jazz Times to call him "The World's Most Dangerous Guitarist." and Rolling Stone to dub him "The Avant Romantic," and name him one of 20 "Guitar Gods" in 2007. Cline has performed on over 100 albums in the jazz, pop, rock, country, and experimental music genres. Some of the musicians he has performed and/or recorded with include: Ramblin' Jack Elliot, Rickie Lee Jones, Julius Hemphill, Willie Nelson, Charlie Haden, Tim Berne, Bobby Bradford, Wadada Leo Smith and Henry Kaiser amongst others. In addition to his latest trio The Nels Cline Singers, formed with drummer Scott Amendola and bassist Devin Hoff, Cline is also the lead guitarist for the critically acclaimed rock band Wilco, which he joined in 2004. Personnel: Nels Cline (guitars, voice, electronics), Devin Hoff (contrabass, bass guitar), Scott Amendola (drums, percussion, electronics), special guests: David Witham (electric piano, organ), Yuka Honda (synth), Greg Saunier, Satomi Matsuzak, John Dieterich (percussion)
