Bill Connors ‎– Swimming With A Hole In My Body VG+/VG+

Bill Connors’ “Swimming With A Hole In My Body” is a introspective journey built entirely on the delicate sounds of the acoustic guitar. Released in 1980, it’s his third album for ECM records and follows the path laid out by his solo debut. Each track acts as a soundscape, inviting the listener into a world of quiet contemplation. The album opens with “Feet First,” a piece that sets the mood with its introspective melody, like moonlight painting the path forward. Titles like “Wade” and “Frog Stroke” evoke a sense of movement through water, while “Surrender To The Water” expands on that feeling, creating a sense of weightlessness and emotional release. The album weaves between moments of gentle reflection and flickers of anxious energy, mirroring the complexity of the title itself. “Survive” offers a brief interlude before “With Strings Attached” brings a touch of dissonance, a hint of unease beneath the surface tranquility. The album closes with “Breath,” a longer piece that allows Connors’ guitar to truly breathe, its notes echoing in the space like deep sighs. “Swimming With A Hole In My Body” is a deeply personal album, inviting the listener to share Connors’ solitary exploration of vulnerability and acceptance.