Showing posts with label Tommy Emmanuel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tommy Emmanuel. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Tommy Emmanuel - Accomplice One

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:52
Size: 146.2 MB
Styles: Assorted guitar styles
Year: 2018
Art: Front

[3:27] 1. Deep River Blues (With Jason Isbell)
[3:21] 2. Song And Dance Man (With Ricky Skaggs)
[2:34] 3. Saturday Night Shuffle (With Jorma Kaukonen, Patbergeson)
[2:52] 4. Wheelin' & Dealin' (With J.D. Simo, Charlie Cushman)
[4:12] 5. C-Jam Blues (With David Grisman, Bryan Sutton)
[4:50] 6. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay (With J.D. Simo)
[5:19] 7. Borderline 9with Amanda Shines)
[2:51] 8. You Don't Want To Get You One Of Those (With Mark Knopfler)
[5:00] 9. Keepin' It Reel (With Clive Carroll)
[4:25] 10. Looking Forward To The Past (With Rodney Crowell)
[4:04] 11. Purple Haze (With Jerry Douglas)
[3:13] 12. Rachel's Lullaby (With Jake Shimabukuro)
[3:26] 13. Djangology (With Frank Vignola, Vinny Raaniolo)
[5:30] 14. Watson Blues (With David Grisman, Bryan Sutton)
[5:13] 15. Tittle Tattle (With Jack Pearson)
[3:26] 16. The Duke's Message (With Suzy Bogguss)

Accomplice One is a testament to Tommy’s musical diversity, the range of expression that stretches from authentic country-blues to face-melting rock shredding, by way of tender and devastating pure song playing. The songs are a mix of new takes on indelible classics and brand new originals from Tommy and his collaborators. The artists who stepped forward to join Tommy in the studio are an impressive list of some of today’s most respected performers, from across the musical spectrum.

"Confession time – I’m not usually a fan of multiple collaborator type albums. Too often they strike me as a marketing wheeze in which the guest artists add little to the equation. Fair play to acoustic guitar man Tommy Emmanuel though, on Accomplice One he’s taken advantage of guests toting a variety of instruments to explore a wide range of musical styles.

What this means though, is that your response to the material is liable to be very much a matter of personal taste. So for my part the jet-propelled bluegrassy picking on “Wheelin & Dealin’”, featuring banjo from Charlie Cushman and electric guitar from JD Simo, is a winner. Likewise the rattling Celtic folk of “Keepin’ It Reel”, with Clive Carroll. On a different note, the Americana ballad-styled reading of Madonna’s “Borderline”, colored by Amanda Shires’ fiddle and vocals, takes on an aching quality. And in another vein entirely, “Purple Haze” is a launchpad for a rousingly steely instrumental adventure with Jerry Douglas on Dobro.

On the other hand, the duet of “Song And Dance Man” with Ricky Scaggs, and “Looking Forward To The Past” with Rodney Crowell, are country songs with the kind of cloyingly maudlin lyrics that do the genre no favors, though at least the latter musters some chugging energy. Meanwhile if you like gypsy jazz then “Djangology” and a hornless version of Duke Ellington’s “C-Jam Blues”, may well float your boat. But they leave me cold, as does the sleepy duet with Mark Knopfler on “You Don’t Want To Get You One Of Those,” whose lyric about a beat-up automobile appears to be a shoddy metaphor for a woman past her best.

The balance of the 16 tracks are satisfying enough to differing degrees, including an affectionate cover of “(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay” with Simo on vocals, and a rendition of “Watson’s Blues” that puts me pleasantly in mind of Samantha Fish’s take on “Jim Lee Blues Part 1”. And the musicianship is top notch throughout of course, so if you’re an acoustic roots aficionado, Accomplice One is probably right up your street. But to a wider audience it’s likely to be a pick’n’mix affair." ~Iain Cameron

Accomplice One mc
Accomplice One zippy

Friday, November 3, 2017

Tommy Emmanuel & David Grisman - Pickin'

Size: 104,7 MB
Time: 44:42
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Jazz, Folk, Bluegrass
Art: Front

01. Zorro's Last Ride (3:11)
02. Cinderella's Fella (3:21)
03. Cgp & Dawg (4:51)
04. Farm & Fun Time (3:09)
05. Newly Wedding (4:38)
06. Sweet Georgia Brown (3:51)
07. Standing Rock (3:52)
08. Dawg's Waltz (3:43)
09. Tipsy Gypsy (3:14)
10. Tracy's Tune (5:20)
11. Port Townsend Blues (3:08)
12. Waltzing Matilda (2:18)

It’s exciting to review two preeminent musicians in their first-ever collaboration, Pickin‘, on Acoustic Disc. Tommy Emmanuel shows why he has been named one of only five Certified Guitar Players (CGP) by the late master himself, Chet Atkins, with his mixture of Jazz, Blues, Bluegrass, Folk and Rock. David “Dawg” Grisman continues to be the premiere player of Dawg Music with his unique combination of Bluegrass, Jazz and Folk on the mandolin.

The pair have never played together before, but with almost 100 albums between them, they understand how to put together a record that their fans will listen to over and over. Music lovers and musicians of all genres will enjoy the music created by these two and will be amazed at the combined talent of the duo and how they make intricate music look easy.

The 12-song album immediately sets an energetic tone with “Zorro’s Last Stand.” Dawg’s skillful mandolin picking creates sounds that ignite images of a bluegrass swashbuckler in action.

Emmanuel and Grisman complement each other well in “Cinderella’s Fella.” The beginning has an old movie soundtrack vibe before switching to a full sound that highlights Tommy’s distinct fingerpicking style.

The next song, “CGP & Dawg,” written specifically for this pairing, is a jam that shows why Chet Atkins bestowed the honor of CGP upon Emmanuel. With a thumb to play one line and fingers to play bass, chords and melodies, his dexterity is astounding. Tommy and Dawg take turns trying to out-pick each other in this unforgettable arrangement.

“Farm & Fun Time” elicits thoughts of a rural family going into town on the weekend as the light-hearted music soothes any residual cares from a hard work-week. Tommy’s snare-brush technique creates an additional texture. The laughter between the two musicians is contagious and shows how well they mesh.


Dawg’s intricate mandolin notes on “Newly Wedding” feeds the soul. Tommy’s virtuosic fretwork has the sound of an entire string band backing Grisman’s touching composition in one of many highlights on Pickin’.

Emmanuel’s sustaining notes offer a tease as to what is coming next. He switches gears into an up-tempo version of “Sweet Georgia Brown” with individual notes in between the two-finger harmony. Dawg (the nickname given to him by Jerry Garcia) picks a blistering mandolin riff.

“Standing Rock” is another new song that sounds like an entire blues band. Grisman battles it out on the mandolin while Emmanuel plays lead, melody and slaps the guitar body for a percussive effect. The level of talent shows through once again.

Emmanuel takes the lead in “Tipsy Gypsy” with a beat that gets you out of your seat. He plays three notes at once with his Travis picking style, (named for the great, Merle Travis.) The laughter between the two again reveals how much fun they have when playing together.

“Tracy’s Tune” is quite personal to Dawg as it’s an instrumental love letter to his wife. It’s both subdued with prolific picking–a true testament of talent. Each master musician plays lead while the other complements him with backing notes that mesmerize.

The penultimate song, “Port Townsend Blues,” is a jam that would be a great closing song for a live concert. Dawg’s nimble picking grooves along with Tommy’s finger play that emulates an electric guitar’s tremolo system with his harmonic progressions. Saying, “It rocks,” is an understatement.

Unfortunately, the album has to end, but you can’t go wrong with an Australian beer-drinking song. “Waltzing Matilda” is a well-known classic, but has a unique take with these two masters. Fiery fingering on the mandolin and acoustic guitar urge you to hit “play” again.

“Pickin” is an album you’ll want to add to your collection. ~By David Simers

Pickin'

Friday, May 19, 2017

Tommy Emmanuel - Live! At The Ryman

Size: 181,4 MB
Time: 77:15
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. Tall Fiddler (Live) (2:44)
02. The Mystery (Live) (4:29)
03. Windy & Warm (Live) (2:33)
04. Deep River Blues - Doc's Guitar - Blue Smoke - Cannonball Rag (Live) (6:28)
05. Saturday Night Shuffle - Nine Pound Hammer (Live) (6:29)
06. Angelina (Live) (3:27)
07. Blood Brother (Live) (5:27)
08. Beatles Medley - Classical Gas (Live) (7:40)
09. Sails (Live) (5:37)
10. San Antonio Stroll (Live) [Feat. John Knowles & Steve Wariner] (3:54)
11. Guitar Boogie (Live) (9:26)
12. Somewhere Over The Rainbow (Live) (6:34)
13. I Still Can't Say Goodbye (Live) (3:42)
14. Workin Man Blues (Live) [Feat. Steve Wariner] (3:57)
15. Eva Waits (Live) (4:41)

The new album was captured during a special show at the famed Nashville venue on February 27th of last year where Emmanuel was joined on stage by Steve Wariner and John Knowles (who are the only other two living CPGs, a.k.a. Certified Guitar Players, a moniker bestowed on four guitarist that he admired by music icon Chet Atkins.

Tommy shared his excitement about being able to share the show with the new album, "It was an unforgettable experience playing my first solo show at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

Live! At The Ryman

Sunday, February 5, 2017

Asleep At The Wheel - Still The King: Celebrating The Music Of Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 70:09
Size: 160.6 MB
Styles: Country, Western Swing
Year: 2015
Art: Front

[1:11] 1. Texas Playboy Theme (Feat. Leon Rausch)
[3:29] 2. I Hear Ya Talkin' (Feat. Amos Lee)
[2:29] 3. The Girl I Left Behind Me (Feat. The Avett Brothers)
[4:05] 4. Trouble In Mind (Feat. Lyle Lovett)
[3:30] 5. Keeper Of My Heart (Feat. Merle Haggard & Emily Gimble
[3:17] 6. I Can't Give You Anything But Love (Feat. Kat Edmonson & Ray Benson)
[2:54] 7. Tiger Rag (Feat. Old Crow Medicine Show)
[3:05] 8. What's The Matter With The Mill (Feat. Pokey Lafarge)
[3:04] 9. Navajo Trail (Feat. Willie Nelson & The Quebe Sisters)
[3:25] 10. Silver Dew On The Bluegrass Tonight
[4:18] 11. Faded Love (Feat. The Time Jumpers)
[4:14] 12. South Of The Border (Down Mexico Way) [feat. George Strait]
[2:43] 13. I Had Someone Else Before I Had You (Feat. Elizabeth Cook)
[2:30] 14. My Window Faces The South (Feat. Brad Paisley)
[3:35] 15. Time Changes Everything (Feat. Buddy Miller)
[2:35] 16. A Good Man Is Hard To Find (Feat. Carrie Rodriguez & Emily Gimble)
[3:23] 17. Ding Dong Daddy From Dumas (Feat. Robert Earl Keen & Ray Benson)
[4:18] 18. Brain Cloudy Blues (Feat. Jamey Johnson & Ray Benson)
[2:39] 19. Bubbles In My Beer
[2:52] 20. It's All Your Fault (Feat. Katie Shore)
[4:01] 21. Twin Guitar Special (Feat. Tommy Emmanuel, Brent Mason, & Billy Briggs)
[2:23] 22. Bob Wills Is Still The King

Technically, it's been 16 years since Asleep at the Wheel last saluted Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys -- with 1999's Ride with Bob, recorded for the short-lived DreamWorks Records -- but it's never like Ray Benson's ensemble ever strayed far from Western Swing. Their first album in 1973 was chock-full of Wills standards and their last, 2010's It's a Good Day, showcased former Texas Playboy Leon Rausch, so Still the King: Celebrating the Music of Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys is squarely in the group's comfort zone. Fortunately, Asleep at the Wheel never sound too comfortable on this generous 22-track tribute. Part of that is down to the decision of Benson and company to construct Still the King as an outright party, inviting old and new friends to sit in and sing both classics and nuggets from the deep Wills songbook. Having star after star take the center stage keeps things lively, particularly because the guest list is sharply balanced between old friends like Merle Haggard, George Strait, and Lyle Lovett -- fellow disciples of Wills, one and all -- with newer roots acts like the Avett Brothers, the Old Crow Medicine Show, Kat Edmonson, the Time Jumpers, and Elizabeth Cook. Everybody is welcome, no matter if it's Jamey Johnson slurring his way through "Brain Cloudy Blues" or Brad Paisley running roughshod across "My Window Faces the South," or Carrie Rodriguez and Emily Gimble joshing through "A Good Man Is Hard to Find," and it's fun to hear Asleep at the Wheel accommodating each of their styles. This casual versatility points out who the real star of the show is, though: it remains Benson's group, whose way with Western Swing has only grown more soulful over the years. Clearly, Asleep at the Wheel draw sustenance from the music of the Texas Playboys, finding life within these old songs, and their love remains infectious and palpable after all these years. ~Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Still The King

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Tommy Emmanuel with The Australian Philharmonic Orchestra - Classical Gas

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:22
Size: 119.9 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 1995
Art: Front

[5:02] 1. Classical Gas
[5:20] 2. The Journey
[3:55] 3. Run A Good Race
[4:41] 4. Concierto De Aranjuez
[3:34] 5. She Never Knew
[2:39] 6. Gollywogs Cake Walk English Country Garden
[5:52] 7. Who Dares Wins
[5:23] 8. Initiation
[3:57] 9. The Hunt
[3:42] 10. Countrywide
[3:55] 11. Pan Man
[4:17] 12. Padre

Two-time Grammy nominee Tommy Emmanuel is one of Australia's most respected musicians. The legendary guitarist has a professional career that spans almost five decades and continues to intersect with some of the finest musicians throughout the world. A household name in his native Australia, Tommy has garnered hundreds of thousands of loyal fans worldwide. Tommy's unique style - he calls it simply "finger style" - is akin to playing guitar the way a pianist plays piano, using all ten fingers. Rather than using a whole band for melody, rhythm, bass, and drum parts, Tommy plays all that - and more - on one guitar. Guitar legend Chet Atkins was one of the first to inspire Emmanuel to try this "fingerpicker" style as a child. Decades later, Atkins himself became one of Emmanuel's biggest fans.

Classical Gas

Friday, October 30, 2015

Michael Fix - Two Timing

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:13
Size: 110.4 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[3:33] 1. Guanches (Feat. Andrea Valeri)
[3:00] 2. Mas Que Nada (Feat. Stephen Bennett)
[3:42] 3. My Sweet Baby (Feat. Nick Charles)
[3:49] 4. Martina (Feat. Tommy Emmanuel)
[3:08] 5. Two Guitars (Feat. Justin Mccoy)
[3:09] 6. All My Loving (Feat. Adam Rafferty)
[3:52] 7. Every Little Thing Is Magic (Feat. Bruce Mathiske)
[2:57] 8. Demolition Derby (Feat. Brendan Radford)
[2:15] 9. Baby's Coming Home (Feat. Tommy Emmanuel)
[2:44] 10. Happy To Be Happy (Feat. Jason Mcgregor)
[3:48] 11. Old Guitar Blues (Feat. Paul R. Burton & Andrew Toner)
[2:45] 12. When I Fall In Love (Feat. Louie Shelton)
[2:51] 13. Optimystical (Feat. Sam Shepherd)
[2:52] 14. Victory Rag-Doc's Guitar
[3:39] 15. Danny Boy Ashokan Farewell (Feat. Paul R. Burton & Andrew Toner)

Some of the world's great guitar players duet with Michael on this delightful album. Fifteen tracks cover a wide range of emotions and styles, and throughout, there is the spontaneity and joy of friends engaging in musical conversations.

"Recording this album has been a total delight for me – sitting face to face with some of my favourite guitar players. My intention was to make each track a musical conversation – swapping lead lines, playing harmony lines, counter-melodies, back and forth like two people chatting. I truly hope you enjoy the dialogue."

Features duets with: Tommy Emmanuel, Adam Rafferty, Stephen Bennett, Bruce Mathiske, Nick Charles, Andrea Valeri...and many more!

Two Timing

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Tommy Emmanuel - It's Never Too Late

Size: 109,4 MB
Time: 46:25
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. Only Elliot (2:02)
02. It's Never Too Late (3:32)
03. The Bug (1:57)
04. El Vaquero (2:07)
05. Hope Street (3:26)
06. Blood Brother (4:53)
07. Miyazaki's Dream (4:20)
08. One Day (3:34)
09. Traveling Clothes (2:39)
10. Te Ranch (2:28)
11. Hellos And Goodbyes (4:21)
12. One Mint Julep (3:38)
13. The Duke (3:24)
14. Old Photographs (3:59)

Tommy Emmanuel is not only one of Australia’s most respected musicians; his legendary guitar skills are admired the world over. The remarkable guitarist has been entertaining and mesmerising audiences for over five decades – a prolific career that has produced over 20 albums and two Grammy nominations, and has seen the artist honoured with the very rare title of “Certified Guitar Player”, by the eminent Chet Atkins. A virtuosic performer of his complex fingerstyle technique, Emmanuel has become a household name in Australia, recording an arsenal of solos, duets, ensemble works, covers, and originals on both his electric and acoustic guitars. On It’s Never Too Late, his first completely solo album since 2000, Emmanuel returns to the intricate acoustic mastery that has shaped his career.

Tommy Emmanuel - It's never too lateHis supreme layering ability resonates from the outset in the spirited joviality of Only Elliott, and continues to sing on the starry-eyed It’s Never Too Late, a title inspired by the recent birth of his daughter; and at 60 years old its sentiment could not ring truer. The relentless frenzy and innocent bliss of The Bug perfectly personifies its subject in less than 2 minutes, before Emmanuel effortlessly traverses continents and styles. He blends country and western and Spanish traditions with natural conviction on EL Vaquero, becomes intoxicated with the blues on the lumbering One Mint Julep, floats on dreamy folk in The Duke and One Day, as well as delving into more contemporary pop-oriented tracks.

An undeniable visionary with his instrument, Emmanuel not only explores different styles, but evokes a spectrum of distinctive emotions with visceral rawness. From comforting optimism on Hope Street, the rollicking wonder and joy of Travelling Clothes and T.E. Ranch, to an ethereal stillness that swathes Miyazaki’s Dream, and the wounded, but resolute, Blood Brothers.

When Emmanuel performs completely solo his outstanding, raw expertise is highlighted even more; the man is able to sing, strum, and drum not only with a single instrument, but in a single moment. It’s Never Too Late is not only a solid and brilliant example for any aspiring instrumentalist; studied guitarists and everyday music fans alike will admire and enjoy it. ~By Meggie Morris

It's Never Too Late

Monday, August 17, 2015

Ian Cooper, Ian Date & Tommy Emmanuel - Just Passing Through

Size: 103,2 MB
Time: 39:52
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Gipsy Jazz, Folk, Blues
Art: Front

01. Tiger Rag (3:34)
02. Smile (4:03)
03. Honeysuckle Rose (5:02)
04. Georgia On My Mind (5:06)
05. Oh, Lady Be Good! (5:05)
06. Blues For Tex (4:04)
07. Caravan (4:29)
08. Nuages (5:00)
09. After You've Gone (3:25)

When I opened the stream to listen to Just Passing Through and saw that “Tiger Rag” was the opening track, my heart sank a little. A very old traddie piece that’s been dulled by decades of frantic interpretation by musicians whose dreams may possibly have surpassed their talents.

In fact, it’s a great track to begin with, setting the scene for fast-paced dexterity on both the guitars and that red-hot violin.

Just Passing Through features three very fine Australian musicians – Ian Date, Ian Cooper and Tommy Emmanuel – in a tribute to the Quintette du Hot Club de France, the iconic band formed in Paris in 1934 by guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stéphane Grappelli. Their music is now referred to as “gypsy jazz” or “gypsy swing”. It’s infectious and toe-tapping, and Date, Cooper and Emmanuel bring their own brand of exuberance to the genre. You can actually hear these guys having fun.

The album is both a reflection and a homage to the pioneers of gypsy jazz. Most of the pieces are Hot Club tracks, including “Honeysuckle Rose”, “Georgia on My Mind” (listen to Date’s guitar; it’s as gorgeous as the song), and “Oh, Lady be Good”. My favourite tracks are “Caravan” and “Nuages”.

“Caravan” is a joy. Cooper’s classical credentials come through even as he shows off his considerable jazz chops. There are some very nice Spanish flourishes from Emmanuel’s guitar. The piece goes from subdued to ecstatic, and back again, always evoking the exoticism associated with this great Duke Ellington classic.

The trio plays a beautifully nuanced version of “Nuages“, one of Django’s most enduring compositions, with intelligent, understated guitar work and deft, subtle bowing on that violin. The build-up to the final bars is just lovely.

“Blues For Tex” is a departure from the Hot Club vibe, having a bit of a country music feel, perhaps a nod to Emmanuel’s early mentor, country music stalwart Chet Atkins. The piece’s train-like rhythm and layering of textures is very effective.

“Smile” features lovely sensitive playing from Cooper, and rich inventive harp-like phrases from the guitars. In spite of its title, suggestive of grief and longing, “After You’ve Gone”, the upbeat final track, actually brings a smile to your face. On all tracks, the musicianship is evident. The playing is polished, dextrous and discerning.

One of the striking things about this album is that it has all the hallmarks of a live performance, with both rehearsed precision and spontaneity. There is a palpable rapport between the players – they are listening closely to one another and responding accordingly. I enjoyed the scat singing along with the playing. It’s been my experience that musicians entirely engrossed in what they’re doing tend to “sing” along, mostly unconsciously. It’s quite endearing.

For fans of well-played guitar, this a gratifying listening experience. Add to that the jaunty/pensive, always expressive violin and you’re on a winner.

Gypsy jazz might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s really worth having a listen to these incredible musicians doing their thing. ~by Loretta Barnard

Just Passing Through

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Tommy Emmanuel, Martin Taylor - The Colonel & The Governor

Styles: Crossover Jazz, Guitar Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:54
Size: 139,7 MB
Art: Front

(5:08)  1. I Won't Last A Day Without You
(3:53)  2. Jersey Bounce
(3:25)  3. Bernie's Tune
(5:26)  4. A Smooth One
(4:25)  5. True
(3:27)  6. Heat Wave
(3:53)  7. One Day
(5:02)  8. Lullaby Of Birdland
(5:18)  9. The Nearness Of You
(5:19) 10. Down At Cocomo's
(4:41) 11. The Fair Haired Child
(4:07) 12. Secret Love
(3:24) 13. Wonderful Baby
(3:20) 14. I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free

There's an implicit sense of mutual admiration behind the titling of this album collaboration between two of the world's gifted and certainly most decorated fingerpicking guitarists. Named in relation to Emmanuel's status as an honorary Kentucky Colonel and Taylor's lettered English roots, The Colonel & The Governor is primarily a collection of the duo's favorite jazz standards and pop classics, delivered in a way that betrays not only their shared virtuosity, but also their sense of playfulness. In the immediate years leading up to this release, while Emmanuel's studio output has been relatively sparse bar the impressive 2010 solo album Little by Little and the 2011 John Fahey nod that was All I Want For Christmas Taylor has been more prolific, collaborating with such jazz luminaries as Frank Vignola and Alan Barnes.

Although Emmanuel and Taylor are both notoriously comfortable in the art of genre-hopping, it's Taylor's gentle Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli-influenced jazz heredity that forms the basis of this set. So even though we're occasionally given brief glimpses of Emmanuel's accomplished folk and country leanings mainly through his tasteful rhythm-cum-lead playing it's clear that jazz is the order of the day on this release. When the duo run through "Jersey Bounce" a '40s swing hit for Benny Goodman and the jazz standard "Bernie's Tune," it's equally clear that Emmanuel is more than at home in this territory. Among the pop material on display here is the duo's inventive take on the early '60s Kathy Kirby hit "Secret Love." Built around Emmanuel's singular use of harmonics, it's a clear highlight of the disc. Elsewhere, Taylor contributes two original compositions to the album in the form of the tender ballad "True," and the addictive, Caribbean-influenced "Down at Cocomo's." More than anything it's the duo's sheer enthusiasm for guitar playing that resonates across this release, and although their audible nods of approval to each other's contributions can occasionally be distracting, this is an album that should impress any listener with guitar virtuosity high on their agenda. ~ James Wilkinson  http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-colonel-the-governor-mw0002491058

The Colonel & The Governor

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Tommy Emmanuel - The Guitar Mastery Of Tommy Emmanuel

Size: 106,5+133,2 MB
Time: 45:34+57:14
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Contemporary Jazz, Finger-Picked Guitar, Smooth Jazz
Art: Front

CD 1:
01. Somewhere Over The Rainbow (4:20)
02. Tall Fiddler (2:25)
03. Angelina (3:41)
04. Endless Road (4:31)
05. La Visita (3:20)
06. Windy & Warm (2:47)
07. I Still Can't Say Goodbye (3:22)
08. Gameshow Rag/Cannonball Rag (2:23)
09. The Mystery (3:53)
10. Lewis & Clark (4:00)
11. Cantina Senese (1:51)
12. Antonella's Birthday (2:42)
13. Cowboy's Dream (3:21)
14. Sunset (Bonus Track) (2:51)

CD 2:
01. The Welsh Tornado (2:36)
02. Ruby's Eyes (3:27)
03. Half Way Home (3:12)
04. Moon River (Instrumental) (4:03)
05. The Fingerlakes (3:19)
06. Tapestry (4:54)
07. Smokey Mountain Lullaby (3:56)
08. Haba Na Haba (Instrumental) (4:04)
09. The Tennessee Waltz (2:34)
10. Guitar Boogie (4:08)
11. Only Elliot (Bonus Track) (1:55)
12. Mombasa (Live) (9:13)
13. Beatles Medley (Live) (6:10)
14. Questions (Live) (3:37)

Tommy Emmanuel, four-time winner of Australia's Best Guitarist award, has helped bring the art of rock guitar down under to a higher awareness over his two-decade-long career by bringing a sense of jazz improvisation into a mix that also includes blues, country, rock, classical, and Spanish music. After years as a popular sideman and ace songwriter, the two-time ARIA (Aussie Grammys equivalent) award winner launched his solo career in 1988 with Up from Down Under. Several releases have followed, most notably 1993's critically acclaimed The Journey, which hit high on Gavin and Radio & Records NAC airplay charts. He has shown a mastery and affinity for both electric and acoustic axes and has been singled out by the likes of notable musicians such as Chet Atkins -- with whom he recorded The Day Finger Pickers Took Over the World in 1997 -- and Todd Rundgren, who considers him an innovator on the instrument. Only appeared in 2001, followed by 2002's Endless Road (it was finally released in the U.S. three years later), 2005's Live One, and 2006's Happy Hour (with Jim Nichols) and Mystery.

Although Emmanuel took a brief hiatus from the music industry at the end of 2007 for health reasons, that October he recorded all three nights of a residency at the Sierra Nevada Brewery in Chico, California. These recordings would make up the acclaimed double-CD live set that was released as Center Stage in April 2008. Equally well-received was 2010’s Little by Little, a comeback of sorts in the form of a double-studio album which featured a tasteful rendition of Carole King's "Tapestry." 2011’s All I Want for Christmas nodded in places to John Fahey's classic festive recordings, while 2013’s The Colonel & The Governor saw him team up with the equally talented English guitarist Martin Taylor. ~ by Jonathan Widran

The Guitar Mastery Of Tommy Emmanuel CD 1
The Guitar Mastery Of Tommy Emmanuel CD 2

Friday, January 10, 2014

Tommy Emmanuel - Up From Down Under

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 37:08
Size: 85.0 MB
Styles: Fingerpicked guitar, Guitar jazz
Year: 1987/2009
Art: Front

[5:25] 1. Up From Down Under
[4:29] 2. Raindance
[3:05] 3. Daybreak
[2:58] 4. Lady Madonna
[2:16] 5. Soul Search
[3:10] 6. Michelle
[4:27] 7. Initiation
[2:39] 8. Turning Point
[3:27] 9. Times Change
[5:08] 10. Night Sky

Tommy is big in Australia and over in Europe, but guitar fans in America have just been learning about him the past few years. He appeared at the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society Convention a few years ago and brought the house down. People have been talking about him ever since, and his fame is spreading. “He’s about the only guitarist I’ve heard who can come close to what Lenny [Breau] did with harmonics, and he’s got a style all his own. I think he’s probably the greatest finger-picker in the world today. He’s inventive, fearless and has a flawless sense of rhythm. He’s a great showman, too. You can’t watch Tommy perform and not feel happy. I just love him. We made an album together in 1996 called The Day Fingerpickers Took Over The World, which I’m very proud of. It’s got some beautiful tunes on it, and our playing blended well. Tommy is going to give the world a lot of great music in the coming years” ~Chet Atkins

Up From Down Under