Adrian Legg’s live performances are so memorable, he decided to incorporate one on his latest release, High Strung Tall Tales. The diverse project, recorded half in studio and half in concert, is the fifth release for Legg.

“High Strung Tall Tales is the same kind of organic process as all the others, going in with some kind of vague idea and gradually arriving at a form and shape,” Legg said in a recent press release.

Legg’s Relativity debut, Guitars and Other Cathedrals, flourished into an award from Guitarist magazine: Acoustic Guitarist of the Decade. Legg’s sophomore and junior efforts were voted Best Acoustic Albums by Guitar Player magazine in 1992 and 1993, respectively.

The British acoustic extraordinaire has been labeled both eclectic and innovative and is known for his deep lyricism. Legg developed his trade in a Rome church choir, while his musical roots stem form European high art tradition, folk, Cajun and rock and roll.

“I think what the acoustic guitar is about, at its best, is a kind of tale-telling vehicle,” Legg said. “It makes some kind of neat little picture in someone’s head. An instrumental player doesn’t have the benefit of lyrics to help create that picture.

“If you talk to the audience, you break down this barrier between them and the stage. You don’t ever take it away, but you make a bridge across it.”

Legg’s infamous wit is fully apparent in his live performance style. The guitarist’s live alter ego, evident from his Philadelphia concert in early 1994, is featured on portions of Tales.

Legg is known for using his considerable comedic skills to overcome the communication obstacles that an instrumentalist usually faces.

“Playing live is the be-all and end-all — the whole point,” Legg added. “It’s an immediate, transitory thing. You play something, and it’s gone. That’s it. In that moment, you communicate.

“I think, too, if you say something funny, it frees up people’s emotions, and they’ll be much more ready to accept something poignant or sad. If you haven’t shared a laugh with someone, you certainly can’t share a tragedy.”

On support of High Strung Tall Tales, Legg brings his acoustic routine to the Memorial Union M-Shop tonight for 7 and 9 p.m. performances.

Tickets are $9, $6 for students and can be purchased at any Ticketmaster outlet.