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| Artist: | VARIOUS ARTISTS |
| Title: | "SOUNDS OF WOOD & STEEL" |
| Label: | Windham Hill |
| Reviewed By: | Donn Jehs |
| Rating: |
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I've always enjoyed Windham Hill's compilation albums, both
for the quality of the artists and the music they bring to the
album. But Windham Hill in conjunction with Taylor Guitars has
given us a masterpiece in "Sounds of Wood & Steel,"
an all acoustic guitar album. 20 guitarists, either solo or in
duets have given us 15 pearls to adorn our ears. The litany of artists stretches across many music genres, from jazz to pop, country to classical, and new age. All share one thing the ability to wrest a beautiful sound from the acoustic guitar. Russ Freeman leads off the parade with "Larry's World," a jaunty, effervescent little piece with some nice fingering to get you in the mood. East Tennessee guitarist, Doyle Dykes, follows with a piece written in memory of Marcel Dadi, a fellow musician who died on the ill-fated TWA flight 800. Entitled "Nothing's Too Good For A Friend," it is beautiful, slightly melancholy, with rippling strings lending a poignant feeling. Country artist Clint Black exhibits his skills on "The Claw" a Jerry Reed tune that is insistent and yet rollicking with good humor. A recent accident deprived us of the talented Michael Hedges but one of his last works, "Java Man," is evidence of his ability to make a guitar talk to your soul. The wonderful gospel tune "How Great Thou Art" is rendered by Vince Gill and Amy Grant in a simple and sweet form, the first time I have heard it performed without words. Another duet comes from Kathy Mattea and Bill Cooley, her lead guitarist, as they team up to take us "Into The Night." Remembering Kathy's trucking songs, this felt like a trip down a long and lonesome highway, the white line stretching out in the distance lost in the dark at the end of a headlight's beam. Session guitarist Snuffy Walden gives us "Who Lives Up there," his musical picture of heaven, as light as angel wings, each note flying free upon them. A more somber note intrudes with "Processional" by Will Ackermann written for a stage production of "Romeo and Juliet." The music comes as if in stately robes that brush by you on their parade. Songwriter Skip Ewing ("Love Me," "If I Didn't Have You," "Rebecca Lynn") and Nashville producer and session guitarist Billy Joe Walker, Jr. take a walk down memory lane with "Marina," a tribute to a beautiful Mexican lady of the same name. My favorite selection on this album is the work of Flamenco guitar artist Steve Stevens on "Sadhana." This truly shows the guitar at its best, especially in the hands of a master. The music is as vibrant as the dance it inspires with a stunning finish. Laurence Juber, former lead guitarist for "Wings" gives us a blues-like rendition of "Liquid Amber," rich with feeling. "Surreal" come to us courtesy of Taylor Guitars VP T. J. Braden who shows that he can play the guitar as skillfully as his company makes them. "Alma D' Alma" means soul to soul, and the souls of Stuart Smith and Joe Lynn Turner join in a well crafted duet. The liner notes for Leo Kottke's "Jesus Maria" reminded me once again of his wonderful sense of humor as well as his incredibly talented hands when they touch a guitar. The final cut on the album, appropriately titled "The Last Mile Home," from former pop-country band "Restless Heart" members Larry Stewart and Greg Jennings, leaves us a little sad until the realization sets in that I can hit the replay button and hear all these wonderfuls sounds again. Wood & Steel - two simple materials which when crafted properly and touched by gifted hands give us magical sounds. |
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