Customer Reviews

Naked Guitar

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The highly underrated Earl Klugh is one of the top guitarists in the world, up there with Pat Metheny and George Benson. His technique on the acoustic guitar is amazing, and he gets a full, beautiful sound that makes merely excellent guitarists drool with jealosy. He is an amazing composer, too. His melodies and frequent key changes are lyrical and uplifting.

His skills are very evident on this Grammy-nominated collection of beautiful solo guitar pieces, his first recording in 5 years and only his second recording of solo guitar (out of 30 records he's made since his stunning debut in 1976). This is exceptional music. Beautiful, sophisticated arrangements of jazz and pop standards, played only as Earl can. Earl's playing is accessible and appeals to everyone, including people that don't normally care for jazz. But jazz purists will also devour this magnificent recording with great pleasure.

Overall, "Naked Guitar" is a fine album and recommended. I also highly recommend seeing Earl live. He sometimes tours with a jazz trio, and other times with a 6- or 7-piece electric band. Both groups are exceptional.

From one of the true masters of Smooth Jazz comes a truly beautiful collection of solo acoustic guitar performances. What can I possibly add to the fact that this is Earl Klugh in a warm, rich, intimate setting, attaching his signature artistry to some of the most beautiful standards ever written, from Mancini/Mercer (one of the prettiest interpretations of "Moon River" I have ever heard) and Hammerstein/Kern (the entrancing "All the Things You Are") to Paul McCartney (a lovely ballad version of I Want To Hold Your Hand."). Mr. Klugh has even included some sweet whimsy on this album, with "Ding Dong the Witch Is Dead" and "Alice In Wonderland." There is one Earl Klugh original included, too, namely "Angelina," which stands up beautifully in the company of the more familiar standards. Also in the set is one of my all-time favorites, Leroy Anderson's "Serenata." NAKED GUITAR is an album to be savored, like a glass of fine vintage wine, and, although you could listen to it at low levels and still find it quite appealing, I recommend a much higher volume, perhaps using headphones, to best capture the depth and beauty of Mr. Klugh's playing and to not miss the intricacy and nuance of his virtuosity. NAKED GUITAR is a wonderful project, and one I consider being an absolute essential for anyone's library. It's a new classic from someone whose name has been synonymous with quality Smooth Jazz since the earliest days of this genre! ~Scott O'Brien

Earl Klugh's new release Naked Guitar really delivers, with 14 amazing tracks including his unique take on 13 well-known jazz standards and pop tunes. For a long-time fan, this record offers all of the inventive jazz guitar playing and improvisation that made him a legend, and for a first-timer, Klugh's incredible talent and style is introduced via popular classics that any listener can recognize. Of the thirteen covers on Naked Guitar, "Alice in Wonderland" is my favorite, because of its whimsical and delicate melodies. The last track on the album and the only original, is a version of Klugh's "Angelina" off of his 1976 solo debut, which is a great return to his early work and should prove to be a treat for any fan! Naked Guitar really has something for everyone, and is, at its core, a great and innovative jazz album.

Most of Earl Klugh's Career has been spent with his guitar playing in settings that were less than ideal for such and accomplished musician. This changed in 1989 with the release of "Solo Guitar."
Ever since that release many of his fans, including this writer, have been waiting for another album of solo guitar pieces. Well at last, the wait is over for us.
"Naked Guitar," features Klugh once again in the most intimate of settings; just one man and one guitar. While the material here may arguably not be as familiar as those of its predecessor, the set is tight and the songs fit well together.
Even when Klugh plays "Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead," from "The Wizard Of Oz." it seems to fit right in with the other pieces. If there is anything that seems out of place here, it is his rendition of Lennon And McCartney's "I Want To Hold Your Hand." Klugh's unique chord voicings and penchant for melody make for an interesting interpretation of that very familiar tune.
Other highlights are the lovely "All The Things You Are" by Jerome Kern And Oscar Hammerstein II and Henry Mancini's "Moon River."
This is the perfect CD to put on after a long day to unwind or for a drive in the country. Klugh suprises, enchants and intrigues, but never disappoints. This is a great CD.

I've been a huge fan of Earl Klugh since 1978, and Naked Guitar is a welcome addition to his extensive catalogue. It's pretty much an encore performance of his 1989 "Solo Guitar" release and although both are excellent this one is just slightly less cohesive. (If I could I'd give it 4.5 stars but that's not an option.)

After listening to this CD many times I realized it's the appearance of "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead" in the middle of it that strains the overall mood and flow. The song is fun and well executed, but putting a song that conjures up images of Winkies singing around a melted witch in the middle of a recording of beautiful melodies is slightly jarring. Earl did something similar with "If I Only Had a Brain" (interestingly also from The Wizard of Oz) in the middle of the Solo Guitar release, but for some reason that didn't impact the overall flow in the same way. Perhaps a lovable scarecrow is more whimsical than a dead witch?

Whatever the case, Earl on solo guitar is always a treat and this is much too good to pass on just because of one less than ideally placed song.

Earl Klugh has almost redefined the era of "smooth jazz", so I found it quite impressive when he decided to make this solo cd with just the simple voice of his nylon string guitar(s).

This cd is so wonderful, and you really won't hear anything like it. It's not the type of cd for everyone, but I recommend it to anyone who wants to hear the simple and elegant voice of the guitar in its purest form. It's also a great cd to play in the background over the dinner table, or even cruising in the car.

Seriously, check it out!

Nick

I have loved Klugh's guitar styles since "One on One" - one of my all time favorite albums (OK, CDs). As mentioned by others, you can put the CD in your Player and sit back and enjoy tune after tune. I keep the CD in my office as background music - very mellow and yet I catch myself humming along (Ding Dong the Witch is Dead....).

I know some folks find these smooth jazz albums less than worthy of consideration but when you really listen, the talent wins you over. I know it did for me.

"Smooth Jazz" is great for elevators and the Weather Channel so it was a very pleasant surprise to hear Earl Klugh's "Naked Guitar". Everything about this project is just right from the choice of songs and guitars to the fine recorded sound to the elegant classic guitar arrangements. "Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead" is worth the price of the CD alone. This CD is a nice addition to any jazz guitar collection. Well done Mr. K!

This is an amazing albumn. A must have. I love it.

This is one of Earl Klugh's best yet! Music to sooth your soul! Anyone that loves the sound of his guitar would agree!