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Description
James Elkington and Nathan Salsburg - All GistALBUM ABSTRACTThe duos third album of instrumental guitar recordings pushes their sinuous compositions into labyrinthine new shapes, interlocking and interlocutory, supported by a cast of stellar collaborators. Interwoven among the dazzling original pieces is a fascinating array of covers, ranging from traditional Breton dance tunes to a deconstruction of Neneh Cherrys Buffalo Stance.ALBUM NARRATIVEJames Elkington and Nathan Salsburg recently got
ALBUM ABSTRACTThe duo’s third album of instrumental guitar recordings pushes their sinuous compositions into labyrinthine new shapes, interlocking and interlocutory, supported by a cast of stellar collaborators. Interwoven among the dazzling original pieces is a fascinating array of covers, ranging from traditional Breton dance tunes to a deconstruction of Neneh Cherry’s “Buffalo Stance.”
ALBUM NARRATIVE
James Elkington and Nathan Salsburg recently got matching suits. They’re a light dark blue—too light, it turns out, for a funeral, though fine for a wedding, and pretty good for a bar mitzvah. They had a vague hope to get together wearing them, maybe take some pictures for this record, James and Nathan’s third album of guitar duets—and second, following 2014’s Ambsace, with Paradise of Bachelors—but time and place are rarely on their side. Despite their best intentions, and genuine fondness for playing music and generally being together, they rarely get the chance to play music or generally be together, pushing a photo op far down the list of practical priorities.
That All Gist was made at all, then, is a small wonder. How it was made—in two segments of three days, one in early Winter, one in late Winter, in Chicago—is a testament to James and Nathan’s enthusiasm for the project. As they’d done on their previous two duo records, each brought fragments of varying lengths to the table (literally James and his family’s kitchen table) and, in varying degrees of frenzy, built songs out of them. Some, like “Numb Limbs,” took several intense hours of tinkering, mostly for Nathan to carve sympathetic designs around the knotty edifice James had constructed—thus its title. Others, like “Death Wishes to Kill” (a phrase lifted from a T.F. Powys novel the two had each recently read and loved) took its feverish shape in forty minutes full of shrieks and groans and hysterical laughs hard-stopped by James rushing out, late, to get his son from school. The acceptable window for coffee consumption was pushed to its reasonable limits, and then beyond them, slamming up against a reasonable hour to start drinking beer.
As with Ambsace, the covers on All Gist outline a Venn diagram of Elkington and Salsburg’s abiding interests. On one end is a faithful arrangement of English composer Howard Skempton’s resplendent “Well, Well, Cornelius” (1999); on the other is a composite of two traditional Breton dance tunes (pieced together from Canadian, Irish, and Breton sources); and in the middle—where else—is a transmutation of Neneh Cherry’s monumental “Buffalo Stance” (1988), a song that no one aside from James and Nathan would ever have thought for a moment could or should be made into fodder for two acoustic guitars. But it was, and with delicacy and joy and sincere reverence for the original, which they painstakingly deconstructed.
Like Ambsace, All Gist has its share of unadorned duets showcasing the duo’s skill at putting together, and then playing together, a piece of music: the guitars in “Numb Limbs,” “Long in the Tooth Again,” and “Fears of This Nature” support and propel each other like the workings of a well-made if occasionally mistreated watch. You wouldn’t think these guys need any assistance with all this, but they do, and it’s provided by stellar players whose names will be familiar to listeners of James and Nathan’s records, together and apart. Standout bassist Nick Macri returns to lend his great musicality to the majority of songs. The aforementioned “Death Wishes to Kill” features a fiery solo from returning guest, Wanees Zarour, who soars over and through the guitars with customary grace. The three-part ballad “Nicest Distinction” is ornamented with ethereal woodwinds from Pigeons band member and solo explorer Wednesday Knudsen, while “Explanation Point” and (almost) title track, “All Gist Could Be Yours,” add to the duo’s palette with Reich-like layers from Jean Cook on strings and Anna Jacobson on brass.
All Gist perhaps demonstrates more than anything the precarious balance struck between what the Elkington-Salsburg duo is—exemplified by cramming to compose or remember guitar parts in James’s kitchen—and what the duo could be if it was the engine of a small orchestra in a government-funded arts enclave in some Central European country … where they’d be contractually obliged to perform in matching well-tailored suits.
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4.6 ★★★★★
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Product Reviews
★★★★★ 1
NOT Outdoor balls.
Style: 6 - Pack, Color: White
NOT outdoor. Don't waste your time if you are looking for proper outdoor balls, these are indoor. I don't play indoor so couldn't use them.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Better quality than the no-name brands
Size: 3 Pack, Color: Optic Yellow
I’ve played with quite a few different pickleballs over the past couple of years, including several cheaper “no-name” brands, and these Franklin X-40 balls consistently perform better for me.
The biggest difference is durability. These seem to hold up much better to hard hits and regular outdoor play without cracking as quickly as many lower-cost balls I’ve tried. Even after multiple games, they maintain their shape and playability better than most bargain options.
I also really like the bright optic yellow color. They’re easy to track during fast rallies and remain very visible in different lighting conditions, which makes a noticeable difference during competitive games.
Performance-wise, they have a very consistent feel and bounce. There’s a reason these are used so widely in organized play and tournaments—they simply play reliably from game to game.
While they may cost a little more than generic brands, I’ve actually found them to be a better value over time because they last longer and don’t need replacing nearly as often.
Overall, these are my go-to outdoor pickleballs now. Durable, highly visible, and consistent on the court. Definitely worth it if you play regularly.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2026
★★★★★ 5
The Indispensable Standard for Outdoor Play
Size: 12 Pack, Color: Optic Yellow
As someone who genuinely lives on the pickleball court, having reliable equipment isn't a preference—it’s a necessity. The Franklin Sports X-40 Outdoor Pickleballs are the gold standard for a reason. From the moment you serve, the flight is true, offering predictable speed and a consistent, high-bounce off the court face, making every rally feel authentic and competitive.
The 40 precision-drilled holes ensure that they cut through the wind effectively, minimizing drift on those breezy days that are inevitable in outdoor play. I’ve hit these with powerful serves and vicious third-shot drops, and they maintain their shape and integrity beautifully, far outlasting many other brands I’ve tried.
However, let’s be honest about the one thing every dedicated player knows: you can never, ever have enough pickleballs. Even with the durability of the X-40, balls get lost in the bushes, occasionally crack under extreme force, or are simply needed for high-volume drilling. If you’re serious about the game, stocking up on these is essential—not just because they're great, but because having a full inventory is the only way to ensure the game never stops. If you’re looking for a ball that delivers official, tournament-level performance and holds up play after play, the X-40 is the one to get.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2025
★★★★★ 5
Bright, Smooth, and Worth the Price
Size: 12 Pack, Color: Optic Yellow
These pickleball balls are excellent quality and absolutely worth the price. I was hesitant at first because they cost a little more than other options for the same quantity, but the difference is obvious once you use them. They glide smoothly, feel like high‑end material, and the bright color is a huge plus especially in low lit areas where visibility can be an issue. They’re easy to spot on the court and stand out even when multiple games are going on.
The color is noticeably brighter than most pickleballs I’ve seen, which makes them easy to identify and retrieve. The overall quality and size really speaks for itself. I highly recommend them.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2026
★★★★★ 5
The best outdoor pickleballs.
Size: 12 Pack, Color: Optic Yellow
These pickleballs are much cheaper than found in stores. Great quality. Rates at the top when researching the best outdoor pickleballs. This a no brainer, a must buy if you play the game.
Well packaged. Fast delivery. The best price!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2026