Lines & Spaces

Stowell, John Stowell | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 14, 2004)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Gsp Records
• ASIN: B00069FJK6
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #521,773 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Yesterdays

2. 'Tis Autumn

3. Mr. Clown

4. You and the Night and the Music

5. My Ideal

6. Spring Is Here

7. Gentle Rain

8. The Face I Love

9. Soft Skin

10. Waltz for Debby

11. Estate

12. Farmer's Market

13. Over the Rainbow

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars thumbs up, February 22, 2002

By 

funkle0 "funkle0" (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Lines & Spaces (Audio CD)

This album is a must have (if you can get a hold of it). I hadn't heard of stowell until recently - he is being touted as a major rising force in the jazz guitar community. Unable to find any online samples anywhere, I bought the CD with no idea of what I was getting (like we used to do before the internet). Stowell is the kind of musician that leaves an aspiring guitarist like myself awestruck. His chordal and harmonic approach is so refreshing - he avoids most of those guitar cliches, playing more like a piano player (with huge hands). He does not let the the supposed physical limitations of the guitar hold him back, he achieves amazing and unique chord voicings, kind of reminiscent of Alan Holdsworth's work, except Stowell is working from a much more traditional jazz chord/melody starting point, and implementing in in a non-traditional way. But this work is by no means a chops intensive ego trip, this is very accessible, and easy to digest jazz that could be appreciated by non-guitarists. As far as his tone goes, there is no jazz rule book that says that all guitarists must play with a super dark tone ala Jim Hall; Johns tone is on the bright side, and he utilizes some time delay effects, but it is pleasing to my ear, and it allows his beautiful voicings to ring clearly. One reviewer commented on audible fret noise - turning the treble on your amp down all the way does wonders for masking those little imperfections - it's just part of the sound. I must admit that I have a hard time listening to the tracks that feature Lynn Skinners vocals - admittedly, I'm not a big vocals fan. I realize that Stowell wasn't going in this direction, but I think it would be better as a virtuoso effort.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent musicianship throughout, February 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Lines & Spaces (Audio CD)

John Stowell is an gifted guitarist who plays absolutely beautiful original music as well as arrangements of tunes written by others. Creative chord voicings and interesting improvisations are present from beginning to end. A great choice for anyone interested in contemporary jazz guitar.

3.0 out of 5 stars On John's behalf, February 4, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Lines & Spaces (Audio CD)

In defense of the review by J. Randall Groves, I would like to say that I have heard John many times and the tone he uses works much better live. Be that as it may, a musicians "sound" has so much more to do with the player, and less to do with the equipment. If anyone else picked up Pat Metheny's guitar it wouldn't sound like him. It's the same with Stowell or any good musician. If the sound of the guitar bothers you, listen to the sound of the player. In spite of his dark guitar tone, John is a fantastic musician, one of the most unique guitarists I've witnessed, and one of my favorites. Check him out. ...and if anyone cares, Stowell deos not use a solidbody electric as stated by Groves. He uses a custom made hollow electric (flat top, not arched) and a custom made nylon string with similar consruction. (Neither have any sound holes)