Standard Time

Released in 1982, Standard Time marks the transition of Laurence Juber from a high-profile sideman (most notably as the final lead guitarist for Paul McCartney's Wings) to a premier solo fingerstyle virtuoso. The album is a focused exploration of the Great American Songbook, utilizing Juber's unique ability to arrange complex jazz scores for a single acoustic guitar. Recorded with a high-fidelity approach that emphasizes the natural timbre of the instrument, the album set a new standard for acoustic guitar production in the early 80s. Unlike the folk-rock or fusion elements found later in his career, this record is a disciplined exercise in jazz interpretation. It received high praise from the guitar community for its technical 'impossible' arrangements, particularly on the track 'Four Brothers'. The album remains a cornerstone of the fingerstyle genre, bridging the gap between traditional jazz and modern acoustic performance.