American Finger Style Guitar

Guy Van Duser | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 14, 1992)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rounder / Umgd
• ASIN: B0000003MK
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #171,531 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Miracle Guitarist with a "Whole Band" in his hands..., April 27, 2001

By 

Mark J. Fowler "Let's Play Two!" (Jacksonville, Florida) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: American Finger Style Guitar (Audio CD)

Guy Van Duser is a musical marvel.... an "eighth wonder" on six strings. A musician can be competent as a "technician" and lack feeling and expression, and, alternatively they can play with limited skill and boundless enthusiasm. Guy combines unmatched technical guitar skill with an equally unmatched artistic flair. I am reminded of the scene in the film "Amadeus" where another musical genius, Mozart, is told by the Emperor Joseph that his latest composition has "too many notes" and some should be removed. Mozart asks "which notes" the Emperor has in mind. Listening to Guy Van Duser would probably fluster a musical midget like the former Emperor - Guy plays notes with bell-like clarity and blistering speed in fabulous and meticulous arrangements that nearly overwhelm the ear. This CD is crammed with examples, but if you want to hook someone on GVD with a single tune - play them the live recording of Guy's arrangement of "Stars and Stripes Forever" - initially you think "cool... listen to that - I never really thought of a Sousa march as a solo guitar piece". Then, you listen a bit longer and you think "wow... listen to that - he got the trombones too".... then a bit longer your jaw drops as you realize he's playing, at the same time, the trombones.... the whole damn orchestra... AND that bouncy piccolo part - all at the same time. Did he suddenly sprout extra hands?! How the devil does he DO that? Do yourself a favor and listen to this album. You and Guy Van Duser's will never be separated for long after that.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One listen, you'll kick yourself for quitting guitar lessons, October 19, 1999

By 

Dom Miliano (Denville, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: American Finger Style Guitar (Audio CD)

I first heard this album years ago on WBAI (Commie, Pinko public radio station in NYC) and it was so exciting that I immediately had to have it. (That was so far back, it was only available on vinyl.) The Western Medley and Stars and Stripes Forever are the top cuts but As Time Goes By is a classic too. If you like solo guitar, this is one album you can put on and listen completely through without having to skip the "bad cuts" - there aren't any here. This is one of my favorite albums and now that I've found it on CD, it can travel with me in the car and make me happy, even in bumper to bumper traffic.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Six Swinging Strings, March 31, 2001

By 

James R. Mccall (Libertyville, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: American Finger Style Guitar (Audio CD)

I got this album for "Never Gonna Dance", and because I had once tried to learn a Guy Van Duser arrangement, which put me in my place, guitar-wise. Anyway, there are many ways to praise this album, but I will choose just one - "That Certain Feeling". He takes this from George Gershwin's relentlessly rhythmical rendition of his own tune and manages to transfer it to guitar, keeping the drive and the riffs intact. A great tribute, and a remarkable performance. There aren't many who could play it on piano, much less guitar.

The album was released in 1987, but is really a compendium of material from 3 earlier releases, now apparently unavailable, so this is welcome. There is over an hour of fine guitar, occasional clarinet (also fine), and a lovely session of whistling which makes one wonder why nobody does that kind of thing any more.