Red Spot Rhythm Section revisits “Twilight” with acoustic recordings

Photographic composite of Josh Siegal, shown four times with different instruments. Photo/composite: Josh Siegal.

Red Spot Rhythm Section’s “Back of the Bar Room (Twilight Acoustic Sessions)” revisits songs from “Twilight” through recordings made with acoustic instruments and a portable eight-track recorder.

Chicago songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Josh Siegal began Red Spot Rhythm Section in 2015. Released Aug. 21, the new EP is the project’s first release with Siegal singing lead on every track, according to materials supplied by NoVo Management and Publicity.

“The sessions were recorded on a portable 8-track and limited to acoustic instruments: piano, guitar, percussion, and melodica,” publicist August Forte wrote.

The sessions began in late 2024 as Siegal prepared for an appearance on an NPR folk radio program. He drew from the project’s earlier “Twilight” album, then selected recordings for the acoustic EP.

The announcement describes the selections as “showcasing the songwriter in his natural element: at the piano, a guitar in his lap, and a recorder rolling somewhere nearby.”

Earlier Red Spot Rhythm Section recordings featured guest singers including Bill Grady, Claire Liparulo, Erthe St. James, Angela Peel, JC Brooks, Todd Kessler, Shane Jonas and Wolcott Smith. “Back of the Bar Room” and the project’s earlier releases are available on Bandcamp.