Only

Tommy Emmanuel | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 24, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Favored Nations
• ASIN: B00006IT5A
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #140,988 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Those Who Wait

2. I've Always Thought of You

3. Mombasa

4. Timberlake Road

5. Questions

6. Padré

7. Luttrell

8. Since We Met

9. Drivetime

10. The Robin

11. Train to Dusseldorf

12. Biskie

13. Stay Close to Me

14. Ol' Brother Hubbard

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Tommy Emmanuel is a veteran acoustic guitar player from Australia, where he's reputed to be a legend. He's written pop songs for Olivia Newton-John, Al Jarreau, and Sheena Easton and released skillfully played, if generic, smooth jazz albums. But it's as a solo acoustic finger-style player that Emmanuel makes jaws drop, and that's all you hear on this brilliant album. Emmanuel is an eclectic guitarist whose playing is infused with old-timey jazz on "Timberlake Road," New Age melodicism on "Those Who Wait," and a Celtic-classical tinge on "Padre." Emmanuel is capable of a dizzying array of harmonic effects, off-hand ornamentation, hammer-ons and pull-offs, and just about anything else you can do on an acoustic guitar. But while it's the technique that amazes, it's the songs that keep drawing you back with their intricate melodic invention. Perhaps because he's an unrepentant punster, Emmanuel is able to create just enough distance, with a cocked sideways glance, to keep his music on the right side of the line between sentimental and sublime. --John Diliberto

Product Description

2002 release from the native Australian who has 4 Platinum & 3 Gold albums. This is his first solo acoustic album and finally being released internationally on Steve Vai's Newly created Favored Nations Acoustic imprint. HDCD.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How could I have missed this guy ?, April 5, 2004

By 

I. J. Sloan "thegreyfox" (Rossendale, Lancs United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Only (Audio CD)

Whenever I read reviews, I am made aware we are all different and guitar freaks ( of which I am undoubtedly one ) the world over like different things. Thank God.

But I would wager there is not a single ( open minded ) Guitar freak out there who would not sit back and be humbled by the brilliance of this album, nor one that does not find the outstanding beauty and emotion in this music. I have only just received my copy from Amazon, and I dont think since "Casino" by Al Di Meola there has been an album that has hit my emotions in the same way.

Perfect acoustic guitar playing and( perhaps more importantly ) song writing. Thank you Tommy Emmanuel ... someome below said it ... a masterpiece. Expect more business from me pretty soon !

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars mesmerizing, March 23, 2003

By 

"open-eared-one" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Only (Audio CD)

"Only" is Australian jazz-rock guitarist Tommy Emmanuel and only Tommy Emmanuel. Acoustic guitar. No accompaniment. No overdubs. But he proves it's all he needs to provide a truly mesmerizing, delightful listening experience. Tommy plays in a finger-picking style which allows him to play the bass line, the melody and some harmony all at once, so there is no shortage of action during any of this CD's 14 tracks. It often sounds as though there are at least two guitars playing!

The general tone of the CD is cheerful and uplifting, with a variety to the rhythm and tempo that keeps my attention from drifting. There are a couple of more introspective passages, such as "Questions" and the truly beautiful "The Robin" with its fair sampling of Spanish and classical guitar. There are also some more raucous songs thrown in for good measure, such as the bluegrass-tinged "Biskie," "Train to Dusseldorf" and the jazzy "Ol' Brother Hubbard." Among the brighter moments is "Mombassa" which was written while on a trip to Africa where the Emmanuel family met the young boy they had been sponsoring for years. It's a happy, knockin' around kind of song that will cheer you up no matter your mood. All of these tunes sound lyrical enough to conjure up images of tales being told.

I have become an early riser in recent years, and Tommy Emmanuel's "Only" has become my constant companion at the break of day.

Tommy spends a lot of time barnstorming the globe, usually in solo acoustic shows filled with music of the style presented here. Don't pass up an opportunity to see him pick, pluck, strum, brush and beat on his guitar. It's unforgettable! To boot, he's a very personable fellow, making the audience feel like he's playing for his friends in his living room.

I originally wrote this review after hearing the Australian release, and the Favored Nations release is identical. Highly recommended.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must CD for any and all acoustic guitar afficionados., October 23, 2002

By 

James P. Herden (Little Rock, AR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Only (Audio CD)

No one expresses oneself as honestly or as gracefully as Tommy Emmanuel on acoustic guitar. This is his first solo acoustic CD, and if you are looking for one CD by Tommy, this is the one to get. As Tommy has said, speed is not necessarily good -- indeed a monkey can be trained to play guitar fast. It is much more difficult to play slowly with expression and passion, and this album is filled with those qualities. This album is the closest yet to convey Tommy's true artistry -- something that cannot be completely experienced outside of a live concert. Some very talented people have attempted to capture Tommy's technique in the form of tablature and verbal instruction, but even they are left with the question, "How does he DO that!?!" The answer is, it is a gift, and we are the recipients. End of discussion.