Scottish Guitar Quartet        A Different  Point of View
Acoustic Music Records 2005

These four Scottish acoustic guitarists have been working together
since a long time and their 3 previous albums have been selected
to create a best of album by presenting the CD A Different  Point of
View. Nigel Clark, Ged Brockie, Malcolm MacFarlane and Kevin
MacKenzie focus on many styles with Celtic influences, stylish jazz,
modern classical and a touch of world music. This quartet has the
ability to weave works together with first rate techniques in complex
guitar compositions. Very fast works are played and varied with fine
ballads. October is an intriguing ballad with a jazzy setup .Twisted
to the Four is a real masterpiece with a demonstration of their skills.
Further highlights are Ebony Coast with a touching, intimate touch,
Denial, Ice and From Dawn to Dusk. The music represents a wide
horizon with highly qualified musicians with an outstanding creative
and challenging approach to music.

Copyright © 2005
Henk te Veldhuis

Kastning/ Siegfried   Scalar Fields  Greydiscs Records 2005

The duo Kastning/Siegfried received a lot of critical acclaim for their debut
album Bichromial. Now a year later they present their newest CD called
Scalar Fields. Both acoustic guitarists focus on experimental guitar music
by playing duets on as well 6 string guitars, fretless classical guitar, twelve
string guitar and extended baritone guitar. Their projects is a mix of classical
music and experimental music. The CD is divided in 20 tracks which express
sound escapades reflecting divers moods with a melancholic, pensive and
soothing atmosphere. Constantly there is a dialogue going on between the
two guitarists which takes one on a spiritual journey. The technical abilities
of both players is superb as well a constant mutual interaction. Kastning
and Siegfried use a macrocosmic compositional and a microcosmic form
in their compositions. The macro pieces take one on an abstract visual
trip of the conscious and subconscious mind on structural landscapes.
The micro pieces are not painted and to short to express a lot of feelings
or moods, but both forms are related to convey a balance between the two
musical forms. This approach to music is far away from any commercial
setup, as the music is very demanding for a listener. To absorb the music
Kastning/ Siegfried present one needs a solitaire place with headphones
to fully understand the complex innervisions of both musicians. By fully
concentrating on their music one is invited to provocative imaginary
conversations of two very skilled guitarists and composers.

Copyright © 2005
Henk te Veldhuis

Sandor Szabo   Acoustic Poetry   solo baritone guitar   2005

The career of this Hungarian acoustic guitarist started in 1980. After
studying classical, jazz and improvised music his goal was to play
abroad, as Hungary had no tradition for acoustic guitar. So Sandor
Szabo focused on playing in other parts of the world with success.
His music represents a mix of classical, Hungarian folk and Eastern
music. During concerts Sandor uses many guitars, like a 16 and 8
stringed bass guitar. Acoustic Music Records released several CD's
of his music. He just released his new album Acoustic Poetry, which
is played on a baritone guitar. Most compositions express pensive
meditative moods by painting sound palettes with a profound and
spiritual character. Many of his works are inspired by nature as Walk,
Valley of Shades and The Rain Makers Suite. One has to stand open
for new dimensions in music and a challenging enthusiasm from the
listener is required. Admitting to these criteria's one will encounter as
well brilliant sound escapades with a soothing and contemplative
character written in enthralling sounding poetry. Sandor Szabo is a
unique and superb artist on a guitar, as well as a creator of atmosphere
who draws from a wide knowledge of several musical styles, who is
able with as well excellent techniques as a new approach to music
to fully absorb a listener.

Copyright © 2005
Henk te Veldhuis

Nassler  & Schneider   Plan B     Acoustic Music Records  2005

These in Dresden, Germany, based acoustic guitarists released four albums
which were received well by their audience and the press. Since they started
a duo they had a worldwide success. Their repertoire consists of a mix of jazz,
classical, Latin, flamenco and related music. They recorded previous records
as a duo, but theirnew CD Plan B has a setup with a whole band, using drums,
bass, piano, percussion, organ and saxophone and additional instruments
to include new dimensions to their performances. The guitar techniques are
first class and the additional musicians interact fantastic with these two
guitarists. The moods they are expressing convey impressions of beautiful
landscapes, with as well intimate, melancholic as uplifting sound escapades.
In their varied pieces they are not limited to any style, as with ease they
switch from  jazz, to classical, flamenco or New Age orientated compositions.
The saxophone on their opening track Anniversary takes one on an imaginary
journey, together with the piano, bass and guitars. On Rosarito the two nylon
stringed guitars have a leading role together with percussion and synthesizer
setup. Born in the Rain ,reflects intimateness with alluring percussion of Nippy
Noya. Jesu Meine Freunde starts with a classical approach with a touch of
flamenco. The adaptation of Rimski-Korsakow's Flight of the Bumblebee is
really refreshing. Boddentigers Nachtmusik has a intense dialogue between
the guitars and the soprano saxophone. The CD ends with an uplifting piece
called Princess, which has a staccato setup mixed with the laidback and
excellent soprano sax, electric guitar, percussion, bass and drums.  
Nassler & Schneider  made with Plan B as well a very versatile album
with as well top-class musicians as superb compositions.
Highly Recommended!

Copyright © 2005
Henk te Veldhuis

Preston Reed     History of Now   2005    Outer Bridge Records

Originally hailing from New York State, USA, but now living in Europe
Preston Reed is one of those guitarists who is as well a melody man, a
guitarist/composer and percussionist who creates on his own a fully one
man band. Through the years he released some 13 albums, including
Metal, Ladies Night, Handwritten Notes and Instrument Landing .His
new CD, History of Now, contains as well some new arranged pieces
of other albums as some exceptional well new composed works. Preston
Reed's remarkable talent was also praised by the late Michael Hedges
and other colleagues in the acoustic guitar circuit. When one at first listens
to one of Preston Reed's CD's one gets the impression at least 3 guitars
are played in a trio setting, but Preston does as well the bass, melody and
percussion part all by himself. He plays as well acoustic, classical as electric
guitars, but most of his fans will see him as a gifted musician who is as well
a creator of atmosphere as a phenomenal technical skilled guitarist/ composer.
Groove is one of the ingredients of his music which makes his music so
attractive and one feels the chemistry with a listener as on Dead Cool, a
very appealing track with a superb approach to acoustic guitar music. Signal
Path is full of hammer on and pulling of and slapping and tapping techniques.
The captivating ballad Woman in the Tower, reveals the composing talent of
this guitar virtuoso, in an intimate and touching ambiance. Chord Melody, a
track which covers jazzy chord changes in another magnificent composed
piece of art. The melancholic interpretation of False Spring takes one on an
adventurous lazy trip in many moving sound escapades. Lost Time, with a
bluesy setup with a jazzy coating is breathtaking. History of Now shows the
diversity and versatility of one of the most talented guitarists in the acoustic
guitar circuit.

Copyright © 2005
Henk te Veldhuis

Mike Golay  Across the Bridge   CandyRat Records   2005

Mike Golay's debut album Half Pint received critical acclaim by the
press and his fans. Now Across The Bridge is a logical step forward
in his composing skills and techniques he uses, such as hammer-ons,
pull-offs, slapping and tapping. This said, Mike Golay is an extremely
well-balanced composer. Mike uses a lyrical approach, with an intimate
stylistic approach towards music. All the pieces are written in open
tunings and also some with a capo to avoid any resemblance to the
typical DADGAD sound. The guitars used are a Berkowitz J6CW custom
jumbo cutaway and a Gold Tone Weissenborn Style 3 copy on one tune.
Special guest on this album is Al Petteway, who is assisting on 4 tracks:
"Somewhere I Have Never Travelled," "Peggy Gordon," "Resolutíon"
and "Welcome To Funkstown." The chemistry between both players
is extremely well and a good balance and structure is found in all
pieces with rich percussion on "Welcome To Funkstown." Mike's
gentle and warm touch of the strings creates a wonderful intimate
ambiance, which is excellent treat for any heart. "A&P," "Anam Cara,"
" Pukana la Kalalea" are representing for instance these passionate
feelings. "Between The Rains," on the Weissenborn lap slide, has a
moody and melancholic interpretation. The title track "Across The
Bridge" is effective yet challenging, as is "The Handsome Young
Maidens," an arrangement of this cheerful Irish traditional song.
"Second Chance" is one of my personal favourites, played with
well-skilled techniques and has a fantastic melody line and a
remarkable balance. Mike Golay succeeded in making an album
which absorbs one from the beginning to the end with rich
melodies, appealing and noteworthy writing skills, and which
will find its way to any guitar enthusiast and music lover who
likes a guitarist with a unique and alluring creative signature.

Copyright © 2005
Henk te Veldhuis

Gert de Meijer   The Spirit of the Turtle  2005

Hailing from Vlissingen, The Netherlands, Gert de Meijer is an
authority on as well 12 string steel guitar as the 6 string steel
guitar. 'Behind the Dunes' and 'Acoustickled' (released by
Acoustic Music Records) were the preceding albums of Gert de
Meijer. Both albums got critical acclaim by his fans and the press.
Now he set a step forward into as well his composing skills as
guitar techniques on The Spirit of The Turtle. John Fahey is one
of Gert's inspirers, among Michael Hedges and Preston Reed.
This album has a varied setup with as well pieces on his 12
string Guild JF 30, a baritone guitar Zwier GdM made by luthier
Sjak Zwier and a Santa Cruz Tony Rice model.
The album is recorded with a lot of respect for the original
sound of the guitars. So no overdubs and a bunch of effects.
Gert respects the laws of Nature and the flow in life and this
CD is a dedication to the turtle which is the symbol of longevity
and eternal life. The 16 tracks are played in various open
tunings to create space for being creative and exploring
harmonic possibilities. There is a lot of groove on tracks as
the Shackle, Yeahhh!, Carribian Rag and Gerade Aus, with
skilled techniques and alluring percussion on Tsunamit, and
Tune for BdM. His fabulous composition skills with a lot of
intimacy and a captivating and soothing ambiance are found
in ballads like Timeless Time, New Born Dawn, Sjak's Place,
the haunting Tristesse For Losing You, the moving Thinking of
You and Zimmer Frei. My personal favourites are Fleece, which
fully absorbs one, just as Departure with intense percussion and
the title track Spirit of The Turtle which has all a good composition
needs, balance, structure, good timing and tremendous good
techniques in a moving atmosphere. The Spirit of The Turtle is
a wonderful piece of art and a source of inspiration for any
guitar enthusiast and music lover.

Copyright © 2005
Henk te Veldhuis
Bridge Guitar Reviews.

Karim Baggili    “Douar”  Acoustic Music Records  2005

Karim Baggili won the first prize as a competitor of the Open
Strings guitar Festival in 2000 in Osnaebrueck, Germany. Since
than a career as a guitarist and composer was a natural step
forward in his musical life. Nowadays he works with various bands,
composes music for films and also is improving on his technique on
the oud and guitar. And he presents his first CD on Acoustic Music
Records called “Douar”. The music Karim produces is a mix of flamenco,
Arabic melodies and a fine approach to world music. Karim shows a lot
of passion in his guitar music, with a top-notch technique and with fine
creativity in his compositions.“ Eau Forte' is an intriguing piece with a
flowing character, “Lua” is a moving ballad with lots of expression and
emotion. The title piece “Douar” has a haunting and challenging approach,
just as the affecting track “Gato Preto”.” Aton” has many influences from
many cultures and musical styles, but does surely impress one with a
melancholic and gentle touch, just as the last song “La Manoir “with
additional percussion. The whole album is refreshing and has a modern
and renewing approach to all styles of music. Karim Baggili is a
fascinating guitarist/ composer which will beguile any guitar
enthusiast or music lover.

Copyright © 2005
Henk te Veldhuis

Andy Fox   “Only Bamboo”   CandyRat Records 2006

This musician plays in several groups in the Boston music scene
and as a solo acoustic guitarist he just released “Only Bamboo”
a stunning finger-style album. Andy Fox uses many techniques
like tapping and slapping in altered tunings, but also his melody
lines buildings achievements are as well catching as noteworthy.
A lot of rhythmical changes and groove takes one on a journey
while he weaves through the chord changes. Beautiful ballads
like “The Long Walk Home”, “While You Were Sleeping” and “
The Day After” are enchanting and do move one with his superb
composing ability. The “heavy wood” pieces with the excellent
percussive elements like tapping and slapping like “Corn Syrup”,
“Don't Walk he Cat” and “Traffic” are spectacular. Also Andy's
singing on “Glad I Have You” are as well captivating and his
voice is certainly touching as of a very good quality. There is
a lot to explore on “Only Bamboo” and one can say this as
well a very varied CD as an album which will certainly impress
as well  the experts in the guitar scene as any guitar enthusiast.

Henk te Veldhuis
Copyright © 2006

Lucas Michailidis   Instructional Book & CD

Acclaimed for his musical lyricism and rich compositional approach,
Australian fingerstyle Lucas Michailidis  guitarist releases a selection
of twelve transcriptions from highly acclaimed CD's,"The Offering" and
'Freshwater Road". Meticulously transcribed and beautifully presented
in standard notation and tablature, the transcription book also comes
with accompanying CD.

Highly Recommended!

Henk te Veldhuis
Bridge Guitar Reviews