Customer Reviews

Ceol More

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I can't say how much I have come to love Tony McManus' playing as a result of this CD. I originally bought it so I could learn his transcription of "The Old Bush" (which I did) that was featured in an article on Celtic guitar last year in Acoustic Guitar magazine. Since then I have acquired both of his other CDs as well as his first video for Celtic Guitar from Homespun Tapes. Here is an artist who is committed to the beauty of the music he loves. His technique is flawless and without pretense or too much flair. He has brought Celtic music alive for me and believes that this style was created by people who lived and worked very hard. So much of the "Celtic" music of today has been tagged with the labels "new age" or "relaxing", but as Tony points out in his video, the people who created this music led anything but "relaxing" lives. His deep respect for the culture and the music are readily apparent on this CD. He also throws in a few unexpected treats such as Charlie Mingus' "Good bye Pork Pie Hat" and even a decidedly non-Celtic tune, the Hebrew hymn, "Shalom Aleichem", both performed with the same respect for culture that Tony shows all of his music. And as a guitarist myself, I can say without a doubt, you will be hard pressed to find many who can match his technical skill. Buy it. Without exaggeration, it is one of the finest CDs I have bought in a long time.

Tony McManus has been known as a fine Celtic guitarist for a while now, but with this CD he takes things a step further. His talent is not simply in his playing but with his arranging. He takes traditional tunes like Sliabh Gal Cual/Kishor's Tune and The Lament for the Viscount of Dundee/Dr. Macphail and makes them complex melodies changing tempo and key with great style and fluidity. The music becomes more accessible for the uninitiated and interesting for those who are. What is just as impressive is his ability to go from Celtic to classic jazz with the Charles Mingus song "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat". Even a jazz aficionado would respect this rendition. It is all the more amazing in that it is played on a flat top guitar.

In short, if you like acoustic guitar music and even if you are not sure buy this CD. I listen to it over and over.

A delight. Beautiful skill and artistry. At times, you would swear there were two or three remarkable guitarists playing at the same time, when in fact Mr. McManus is playing alone. Wow! What else can I say.


My own official website, in case you're interested:
A REASON FOR LIVING

I bought this as a present for my mother after she heard one track on the radio (and after I read the other reviews). It's beautiful, and beautifully played. I can't say it's my usual preferred style of music, so it isn't quite 5 star material from me, but even for an uneducated listener such as myself, this is undeniably good stuff.

This is just quite simply the best guitar playing you'll ever hear. John Renbourn said some time ago that Tony is the best Celtic guitarist in the world. This album shows that to be an understatement.

Tony McManus is mining a good vein of celtic music... mellow without being mushy, technical without being showy. Like John Renbourn, he has really good taste. Fans of celtic instrumental music should be very happy with this one, whether traditionalist or new-agey.