Posted August 13, 2011 at 11:31 am | No comments
We now give you my long, overdue review of Middle Tennessee State University’s Tennessee Guitar Festival 2011, hosted by Dr. William Yelverton on June 1st-4th, 2011. I know these things are supposed to come out right after the event happens, so my apologies for that. The only excuse I have is that I’ve been on two continents, 13 different states (11 U.S. and two Brazilian), and have traveled almost the distance of the circumference of our planet since then. I won’t apologize for that, though. I had a blast!
Posted in: Classical Reviews, Jazz Reviews, Reviews
Posted August 10, 2011 at 2:33 pm | No comments
Matt Palmer’s The Virtuoso Guitarist Volume 1: A New Approach to Fast Scales just came out a few months ago and it’s already on its 2nd printing! I’ve had the great opportunity to preview it and give feedback, and review it and do the same.
Matt does an excellent job of explaining his technique throughout the book, first giving a brief history of how he developed his technique, and then a complete run down between the approaches to both hands.
Posted in: Classical Reviews, Reviews
Posted February 18, 2011 at 8:57 am | No comments
Un Tiempo Fue Italica Famosa is the remarkable, debut recording by D.C. based classical-guitarist Matt Palmer. Consisting primarily of music by Spanish composers, such as fan favorites Rodrigo, Turina, and Tarrega, the album also features works by Giuliani, and a virtuosic rendition of the “Sonata Mongoliana” by contemporary composer Stepan Rak, among others. Palmer delivers an absolutely incredible performance on this album. His command of advanced techniques, a refined sound, and a high-level of artistic expression, make Un Tiempo Fue Italica Famosa a classical guitar album of the highest standard.
Posted in: Classical, Classical Reviews, Reviews
Posted July 1, 2010 at 12:28 pm | 2 comments
Summer is here and for guitar players around the country that means it’s time again to pack their bags, load up their instruments and head to dozens of different guitar workshops, festivals and weekends across the country. The number of summer guitar workshops has ballooned over the past few years, providing participants with great new options, but this has also made choosing the right workshop that much more difficult. People can attend classical guitar camps, jazz guitar weekends, week-long rock guitar intensives, the list goes on and on.
Posted in: Classical, Classical Interviews, Interviews, Jazz Interviews
Posted June 7, 2010 at 11:06 am | One comment
The concert classical-guitarist seems to be a dying breed of musician these days. Yes, there are plenty of performers out there who maintain busy touring schedules, and who are releasing albums of new material yearly, or even bi-yearly in some cases. But, the number of classical guitarists who make a living solely on their touring income, without having to take a teaching position or teaching privately, is dwindling. Every year it seems that more and more players have to supplement their touring income with other employment, not because their art lacks merit, but because live music of all genres is facing stiffer competition for the minds and ears of the concert going public.
Posted in: Classical, Classical Interviews, Instrumental Interviews, Interviews
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