Customer Reviews

Imaginary Roads

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first bought this CD back in '89 and have been enjoying every penetrating note all these years. Unlike other CDs that I own, I never seem get sick of this one for some reason. I guess it's a mark of a true classic. I own several other Will Ackerman CDs and have to rate this as my favorite (although Conferring with the Moon comes close). I think Will's more recent CDs have been evolving into a more airy, new age style. I like plain and simple guitar compositions that are not too dressed up and Will delivers masterfully in this one. I never knew piano and guitar could sound so integrated together. Thumbs up to Philip Aaberg for his duet performance on Floyd's ghost.

Just buy it and you won't regret it.

Will Ackerman first and foremost cannot do a bad album if his life depended on it! I agree with alot of the reviews except for the fact that they focus on individual songs rather than the entire album as a whole, which should be the main focus here anyway. Another thing about Will Ackerman is that he seems to be bumped in with Michael Hedges, Alex De Grassi, and Sean Harkness. The only way Will is related to these artist is the fact that he plays guitar. That is it! I also hate when someone cringes when they hear that his music is "New Age." It is just a label the media has put on him just to turn people away from his music. Anyway, now on to my review. Imaginary Roads is excellent starting point for anyone who intrested in Will's work. It captures all of the signatures that make his playing so incredible. He is not a technical player. His music is more about craftsmanship, melody, and taste. This album in so stunningly beautiful that it either makes you smile or cry or both. There is many memorable melodies present on this album that it just keeps you coming back for more. He also essembled some incredible musicians as well (i.e. Philip Aaberg, Michael Manring, Chuck Greenberg, Charles Bisharat, Jill Haley, and Kifu Mitshuhashi). Most of whom have played on albums prior to this one. What I think that is great about this album is that there seems to be song structure abound but improvisation even more so. I guess that is why this album has such a fresh sound to it. It has an energy to it that is just awesome. This album is worth the purchase and ordering it from Amazon is the way to go because they'll ship it [quickly]. Very short wait for an album that you'll listen to for the rest of your life. My hats are off to Will for an album that has brought much happiness into my life.

On "Imaginary Roads" William Ackerman has pretty much perfected his musical style -- some solo guitar efforts along with some duet and ensemble pieces. This CD thus continues in the vein he started with "Passage" (which was a transition from his more folk-oriented, solo-guitar arrangements on earlier releases like "It Takes a Year") -- in fact I consider "Passage" (an outstanding CD in its own right) a transitional effort.

The CD features a good mix of quiet, introspective songs such as the title track, "A Region of Clouds", "Darrow's Barn" and "Dawn Treader" with more upbeat or quicker arrangements for songs like "Brother A Teaches 7" (the closest song on the CD to his early folk-oriented releases) and "If You Look".

Indeed, "If You Look" is one of 3 songs that appear on the CD twice in differing arrangements. (The others are "The Moment", which opens the CD, and "Darrow's Barn", the full title of which is "The Prospect of Darrow's Barn and the Blossoms of an Apple Spring on Imaginary Road" -- hence the CD title.) The first "If You Look" features the late Chuck Greenberg (from fellow Windham Hill recording artist "Shadowfax") on lyricon and synthesizers; the second version of "If You Look" (and the one I prefer) features Charles Bisharat on violin; the second seems more aggressive in its tempo and arrangement. Both versions also include Michael Manring on fretless bass.

If you like the direction William Ackerman took starting with "Passage" and "Past Light", you should like this CD as well. I personally would rate it as one of his two or three best CDs.

I can't how many hundreds of times I have listened to this album in the past 10 years, but I never grow tired of it. Philip Aaberg is incredible on Floyd's Ghost. If you don't have any of Aaberg's albums, I highly recommend Out of the Frame or High Plains. I have seen Ackerman and Aaberg in concert once, if you ever have the chance, don't miss either one.

This is my favorite acoustic guitar CD. I was already a fan when I bought this on release way back when. This is the best Will Ackerman recording. It is perfect -- except for track 5 (Wondering ...) which I almost always skip. The beauty and flow of this record are wonderful, I never tire of hearing it. Every note matters.

In particular, "Floyd's Ghost," a single-take improvisation with (awesome) pianist Phil Aaberg* is my favorite piece of modern acoustic music, period. (* Check out his CD's "Out of the Frame" and "Upright")

I have often told friends that if I had to pick a SINGLE CD to take to that proverbial desert island, this would be it.

This is a great record.

I have listened to Windham Hill music for a very long time since I was about 14 years old or so. I am now 36, and my lovely girlfriend is 22. We share in music together often which is one reason why our relationship has lasted. Music from this recording is so beautiful and sweet to listen to. One has to feel the awesome presentations of William Ackerman here. As you can see there many people who love Windham Hill music and Will's music and they totally respect and adore him. His music remains in my heart and never dies. That is rare for music in general to do that. Will is a humble and kind man and a very talented musician which has been proven.

Of my 1000+ CD's this would be in the top ten that I play on a regular basis. William Ackerman plays guitar but this is not just a guitar CD. He is joined by a variety of other musicians to make one of the most pleasing collections of music that I have. My favorite cuts in order are: If You Look, Floyd's Ghost, Down Treader, and Brother A Teacher. Imaginary Roads was the first Ackerman CD that I purchased in 1988 or 1989 and after adding five more of his CD's I have yet to find one equal to Imaginary Roads.

I've had some trepidation about writing a negative review and hesitated for awhile, largely because I generally like to avoid saying something if I can't find anything good to say. I chose to write this as I want to warn other passers-by who may see the Windham Hill name and think that five reviews of 5 stars coupled with the label gaurantees a good purchase.

First off, this is not the guitar work of Michael Hedges or Alex De Grassi and certainly bears no resemblence to the musicianship displayed by Shadowfax, the Rippingtons, et al; all of whom were recorded on the Windham Hill ticket. This is a rather boring, uneventful trip. Were it not for the piano, I seriously doubt Windham Hill would've even published it although I'm still surprised they did.

To call this anything other than introspective would be like calling Jean Sibelius dance music. This is music for watching paint dry. Some say that music is good for producing a meditative state. My thinking is that if a person feels music is required to reach that state then perhaps they should be pursuing another interest.

So, is it some "meditation" music, or just a poorly thought out and executed recording? That's a no-brainer, of course: the answer is both. This stuff truly sucks.

I give it two stars: one for the label, the other for the pianist. William Ackerman...well, he should just know better.