Customer Reviews

House of Guitars

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If you like good, honest acoustic guitar music, particularly of the fingerstyle variety, this is one of the best releases of 2001.

Gerhard's concept in ''House of Guitars'' was to use old, cheap pawnshop guitars (beaten-up Harmony's, a plastic Macaferri, etc.), such as many of us aging boomers first learned on, and to see if these old boxes had any ''old stories'' in them-- and he found some great ones.

Gerhard mixes three beautiful, haunting originals with compelling arrangements of some traditionals ("Poor Wayfaring Stranger" is done particularly well) and covers of McCartneys "I Will" and "Junk," Blind Willie Nelson's "I Just Can't Keep from Crying Sometimes" (featuring some great slide), and the sweet & slow love song, "Let It Be Me."

Gerhard shuns fast/flashy pyrotechnics and focuses more on the beauty of the melody and the 'story' of the song. In his originals (particularly "Promised Land" and "Because of You, This"), Gerhard reaffirms his credentials as a composer, and not just another player.

But all tracks are beautifully and impeccably delivered by this masterful storyteller. Highly recommended.

Already known for his beautiful tone and phrasing, Ed Gerhard obtains super guitarist status by drawing out some of the loveliest sounds from beat up old instruments in this, his newest album. Even after hearing a few cuts from this album, you will never again blame a musical instrument if you're unable to get it to sound just right.

The novelty aside, Gerhard's original compositions and arrangements of well known and traditional pieces are gorgeous. It was listening to his arrangment of The Water is Wide (from an earlier album: Counting the Ways -- which I also highly recommnend) that inspired me to start seriously playing again after a hiatus of several years. To me, that says a lot.

He may not dazzle with the sheer technical brilliance of say, a Leo Kottke (or any number of the more contemporary string slammers), but Ed Gerhard more than makes up for it by making every note, every phrase and nuance count. As a result, you will want to listen this album over and over again.

There are players out there who play more notes and faster licks than Ed Gerhard, but none who say more with less. There is a unique concept behind the House of Guitars album - using cheap pawn shop instruments without even changing the old strings. That unusual concept is quickly forgotten, however, in the sheer beauty of the music. Each note has obviously been carefully selected for the mood it creates within the phrasing, and that attention to detail pays off in an album that can be listened to again and again. Gerhard has included an eclectic mix of tunes ranging from the blues to popular standards and original compositions. This is one CD that's always in my player, and one of which I've yet to grow tired.

House Of Guitars showcases the impressive and world-class acoustic guitar skills of Ed Gerhard. Throughout each composition, the sound is one of distinction and features several acoustic guitars at once in singing harmonies and intertwining ensembles. Very highly recommended listening for acoustic guitars enthusiasts, the selections include: Promised Land (4:45); Poor Wayfaring Stranger (5:59); Try To Stay (5:35); Because Of You, This (5:34); I Will (2:44); Shallow Brown (5:52); Farther Along (3:51); I Just Can't Keep From Crying Sometimes (4:10); Let It Be Me (4:09); Junk (2:03); and Promised Land - Reprise (2:19).