Few if any can hold a stage with Tommy Emmanuel. Tommy is the consummate performer: compelling from the first note, exciting, and just a lot of fun. Tommy is great in recording but SPECTACULAR in concert, and this 2-CD concert recording presents Tommy at his best. He is at the top of his game in this concert, and if you want just one solo guitar CD that will send shivers down your spine, this is the one to get!
Tommy gets a lot of practice playing live as he has done as many as 325 concerts in a year! I have seen him play over a dozen times, and this recording captures the variety and maturity in his playing that he reaches on his best nights. Besides the incredible virtuosity, the playfulness, and the pure joy of music these CDs also show the depth of emotion and yes, I think, spirituality that is at the heart of this singular person.
I could not possibly do justice to every song on this set without writing a small book, but I will give you a quick tour of the outstanding songs and let you discover the rest on your own.
A Tommy concert usually gets off to a roaring start, so it is no surprise that the first CD starts off at a breathtaking pace. From the opening flurry of harmonics and arpeggios of The Finger Lakes, to the easy swing of Papa George, racing on through Train to Duesseldorf , we reach a climax of speed, swing, and humourous elegance in I Go to Rio. What is surprising about the start is Tommy does not try to impress us with a "speed-fest" but plays a well-modulated set of songs that contrast and complement one another, building to this climax through tight arrangements that all end with us wanting more.
Tommy changes gears as he sings the Merle Travis classic Nine Pound Hammer. His love for this song is evident, as is his ever-improving singing voice. Rather than being the novelties that they once were, Tommy's vocals are now the highlights of the show. Old Town follows this rollicking vocal with a gentle instrumental swing. The softer side of the show continues on into And So It Goes. Over and over we hear Tommy's mature artistry in his modulation of mood and effect to craft a selection of songs into a single, very moving musical experience.
Of course, the show again gets moving along to the speedy, carefree Jolly Swagman, a tune that must give fiddle players "guitar envy". And tell me that pipers are not going to be inspired to play Waltzing Matilda after hearing the end section! The warmth and excitement continue with Sukiyaki and Happy Hours before slowing to the gentle Ruby's Eyes. This is the longest instrumental so far, and just as the mood seems to be tilting into ballad territory this master showman pulls out one of his most popular arrangements, his incredible Beatles Medley. Starting with an energetic Here Comes the Sun, we continue into a jaunty version of When I'm Sixty-Four, then venture through his simply amazing version of Day Tripper, before some mind-bendingly fast runs lead us into Lady Madonna.
If you are new to listening to Tommy and have not yet seen him live, you may be surprised to hear a drum solo begin the next track. Yes, that is Tommy, who is an excellent drummer, and he is playing the drum solo ON HIS GUITAR! With his bare hands, and the occasional use of a single brush, he treats us to some percussive pyrotechnics before resolving it into another of his most popular tunes, Mombassa. Once again it gives way to an incredible drum solo, a fitting and impressive end to the first CD.
The second CD opens with another fine vocal, Working Man Blues, followed by a mellow performance of Georgia On My Mind. Bob Littell adds his harmonica to both of these, as well as the following House of the Risin' Sun. This begins as an instrumental before a very fine vocal by Tommy, followed by various instrumental breaks combing guitar, harmonica, and "drums". The two continue into a very mellow version of Amazing Grace that builds into a very bluesy finale. Next Tommy tells a funny story about meeting a fan, and this shows some of the charm that he exudes on any stage, connecting with every person in the audience on a personal level.
Now that we have had a little pause it is off at breakneck speed into Tall Fiddler, followed by the easy swing of Cowboy's Dream. Morning Aire slows the tempo with some beautiful guitar figuration that evolves into a lovely melody.
Initiation is an intense piece in which Tommy evokes a tribal rite of passage (perhaps a vision quest or spiritual adventure) using every means available to him: the sound of his guitar, sometimes modified by echo or heavy reverb, percussive effects on virtually every surface of the instrument, scratching the strings, playing above the nut and behind the bridge. This song takes a heavy toll on the poor guitar, as you can witness if you are fortunate enough to see this amazing piece in concert. This is a truly incredible performance that has to be heard.
On Lenny Bro Tommy displays some of his finest playing in this stellar tribute to his friend and fellow Chet Atkins protege Lenny Breau, whose untimely death left a huge hole in the guitar community. The concert ends with another of Tommy's deeply spiritual songs, Questions. The depth of feeling and pondering here is reflected in the deep pitch of the guitar and the virtuosic control of emotion in Tommy's magical touch.
This is truly a "desert island" CD. If you have not heard of Tommy Emmanuel before, this is the place to start. If you have heard of him, you probably already have it. If not, buy it today! Better yet, get the DVD and see with your eyes what your ears will not believe!
CANADIANS,
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