33 Acoustic Guitar Instrumentals

Clarence White | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 26, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rural Rhythm
• ASIN: B0000B1A1P
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #241,254 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Wildwood Flower

2. Master's Bouquet

3. Burry Me Beneath the Willow

4. Black Mountain Blues

5. Billy in the Low Ground

6. I'm So Happy

7. He Will Set Your Fields on Fire

8. Sugarfoot Rag

9. Nine Pound Hammer

10. Cripple Creek

11. Under the Double Eagle

12. Farewell Blues

13. I Am a Pilgrim

14. Country Boy Rock & Roll

15. Forsaken Love

16. False Hearted Lover

17. Black Jack Davy

18. Banks of the Ohio

19. Jimmy Brown the Newsboy

20. Sally Goodin

See all 33 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Clarence White's guitar playing was captured on a number of albums and in a variety of styles between the mid-'60s and his early death in 1973. Still, one cannot help but listen to the Kentucky Colonels Appalachian Swing! and want to hear more of White's fine acoustic work. Now, on 33 Acoustic Guitar Instrumentals, one can. These recordings were captured on a home tape during 1962, featuring no more than White's lead guitar with Roger Bush playing rhythm. This album, recorded two years before Appalachian Swing!, shows just how far his flatpicking had advanced. Most of the instrumentals are short -- from 44 seconds to a little over two minutes -- and feature well known tunes such as "Sugarfoot Rag," "Nine Pound Hammer," and "Sally Goodin." Some material -- "In the Pines" and "I Am a Pilgrim" -- is shot through with bluesy, soulful playing. Even on straightforward material like "Banks of the Ohio" and "Old Joe Clark," White shows an incredible sense of rhythm, timing, and melody. The oldest of warhorses, "Wildwood Flower," sounds fresh here, and perhaps it is because there is always a sense of openness and intelligence in White's playing, something that is absent from contemporary flatpickers who trade style for speed. The liner notes replace the normal biographical information with testimonials of acoustic players influenced by White, including Jerry Garcia, Tony Rice, and Doc Watson. For those who are already familiar with White, this album is a must have; for the unfamiliar, this is a great place to start. 33 Acoustic Guitar Instrumentals is a lovely album from a master flatpicker captured in rare form. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., All Music Guide --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a rare treat for flatpickers!, January 22, 2002

By 

"ggnear" (Sebastopol, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 33 Acoustic Guitar Instrumentals (Audio CD)

I have been playing acoustic guitar (mostly bluegrass now) for about 10 years. This is important to consider with regards to my rating. From my perspective, this album is an exquisite gem. Clarence White's guitar work "speaks" to me, I can't say more than that. It just sounds right. This CD is packed with guitar wizardry, but the kind that doesn't sound flashy at the expense of feeling. I just keep learning from it. You can hear Clarence's quick crosspicking, his unique syncopation, and the general "fullness" of his playing. It is interesting to hear these recordings juxtaposed with his playing in the Kentucky Colonels. I love the music of the Kentucky Colonels, but I can't help listening past the other great musicians in their recorded performances to hear what Clarence is doing with his rhythm. In this CD, I am absolved of that guilt.
Now for a wider perspective. This CD was not recorded with intent to release publicly. The songs are generally short and unpolished. For many like me this is part of the appeal, its like sitting in Clarence's living room while he runs through his repertoire. For others, this may reduce the overall enjoyment. This is the type of CD I sit down and "listen" to. I do not put it on in the background with company over. It is a little too discontinuous (due to the many short songs) and intense for that. This is neither a strength or weakness, just a property of the album. It just depends on what you are looking to have in your CD collection.
Bottom Line: If you are a Clarence White fan, or a fan of flatpicking guitar, you will greatly appreciate this album. An easy 5 stars from me.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Guitar Album Ever By The Master, October 10, 2001

By 

Floyd Barber (NC, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 33 Acoustic Guitar Instrumentals (Audio CD)

I am not going to mince words, every guitar player should have this record. Forget all the new generation pickers from Nickel Creek to Alison Krause, Clarence White is still new dogs, new tricks.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Picker!, January 19, 2006

By 

El Cid "charlemagne800" (Elizabeth, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 33 Acoustic Guitar Instrumentals (Audio CD)

I got this cd to archived myself to the world of instrumental guitar and was blown away with this great and late guitarist. This cd has a great collection of bluegrass hits that he flatpicks and will also leave you mesmerize with his quick and very clean flatpicking style. If you want to get a great guitar instrumental cd look no further than this one. This a must for any guitarist or lover of that fine instrument.