Customer Reviews

Only

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For Fathers Day I took my dad to hear Tommy Emmanual in Williamsburg VA while he was touring the US. He played opposite Stephen Bennett, a very fine guitarist. Before the show I spoke to Steve who asked me if I'd ever heard Tommy. I had not only never heard him, I said, but I'd never heard OF him. Steve said "Hang on, you'll never forget him." Tommy, an Australian megatalent, is well known in his own county, but rather obscure in the US because of some very conservative marketing of his 11 CDs. He was totally awesome. My dad, an old guitar player and lover of guitar for most of his 79 years said he now believed he had heard one of the great ones. He felt he was in guitar heaven. We both agreed that in many respects Tommy was like Doyle Dykes, a Nashville wonder who tours as a hired gun for Taylor guitars. I bought the album, "Only" directly at the concert. When I buy an album I usually listen to it until I feel every note in my soul. I want to feel what the musician is saying. I have been listening to this album nearly everyday for a couple of months. I go to sleep by it, I make love by it. I had to listen to it a couple of times before I was hooked. It's straight accoustic guitar without any accompaniment. Tommy's Maten guitar has a very distinctive sound that is evident with the opening notes of "Those Who Wait". The first song to absolutely captivate me was "Questions" immediately followed by "Padre" which almost seems like an extention of "Questions". Both songs are slow, evocative, very sensitive, and beautiful. If you listen carefully to "Padre" you'll hear a heavy sigh by Tommy that adds a sensual dimension to the piece that extends beyond mere sound. After all, music appeals to our emotions and our intellect. Tommy does it all. "Luttrell" is a fingerpicking masterpiece ala Merle Travis/Chet Atkins shaped by Tommy's own songwriting genius. It cannot be listened to without moving yourself in some fashion. "Luttrell" is followed by "Since We Met", another beautiful melody that emphasizes Tommy's songwriting skills and talent for keeping the medody in his songs, but still adorned by rhythmic flourishes. The album just gets better with nearly each song. Tommy showcases technique, imagination, and great sound to provide untiring satisfaction. The songs are totally his, but are unique. His us of musical textures and orchestration (if you can apply that to a solo instrument) are completely fascinating. He finishes the album with some great blues runs in "Ol Brother Hubbard". This album makes you wonder why we fawn over lesser talents and haven't heard of this great guitarist and musician.

Just so you know: I dont have this album, but as an Australian i am lucky enough to have seen Tommy a few times (not enough!!) and the guy is an absolute world beater and giant of the guiter. His one man shows are incredible. His rhythm and syncopation are brilliant unique second to none. He plays drum rhythms on his guitar while he plays. No-one does his type of stuff. Dont miss your chance to see him wherever he plasy - he wont disappoint.

FYI - many yrs ago Tommy gave up guitar to concentrate on drums for a year in a band called 'Goldrush' (no ablums available i dont think). Well, did you guess..? Yep he was an absolute sensation on the drums too. And i am a drummer and i know a good one when i hear one. He played with his brother, Phil Emmanuel, who is nearly as talented as Tommy on guitar. you may even see them playing together sometimes if you;re lucky enough.

Just for those who didnt know anything about him and were interested. cheers.

Well I heard this from an unsual perspective. I have an autographed copy I bought from Tommy Emmanuel after seeing him perform live at the 2000 Walnut Valley music festival in Winfield Kansas. He is an awesome perfomer. The CD is great. This is a guy the late Chet Atkins called the greatest guitar player on the planet. If you like acoustic guitar soloists you have to buy this album.

This would be the "If you only buy one CD this year....." collection to buy. I've already sent a dozen or so to friends.

Note to guitarists worldwide.....resist the urge to quietly place your instrument in a closet after listening to this. Instead, think of this CD as a reminder of why we play!

Every song on this package is very accessible...you needn't be a player to appreciate it. It's not simply a " Look what I can do! " project .

You'll find unexpected, well crafted twists and turns every few moments. Boy, what a breath of fresh air!

I am in such awe of this man. I am writing this review after the second listen of "Only." I have been a fan since 1992 with his album "Determination" and since then he has had a string of albums which are all diverse. This one is his first true solo acoustic effort, and the results are stunning. The production is fantastic, the guitar tones are just beautiful. When he performs pieces such as "Questions" and "Padre" they really capture the essence of his live work, which is breathtaking. Tommy is definitely one of the most incredible guitarists in the world and this album is pure art.

Anything by Tommy Emmanuel is worth owning. His acoustic style is similar to Chet Atkins' and in fact Atkins was one of his early inspirations. Whether Tommy plays acoustic or electric guitar his passion for the music shows through. To date we own 12 of Emmanuel's CDs and I have just ordered my 13th. Unfortunately many of these aren't available in the United States but I suggest you also purchase any others available through Amazon. You won't be disappointed.

"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. Highly recommended.

This CD represents a player mentored by Chet Atkins, with his own pure precise, acoustical playing style. There are no vocals, drums, or any distractions from this incredible music. Very enjoyable, over and over again.

I bought this album at a September 2001 Tommy Emmanuel concert in Albuquerque, New Mexico, hoping that it would capture the same energy and jaw dropping guitar playing that I saw that night from him. It did not disappoint. Wow. That's almost all I can say. Wow. This guy can really play! He knows exactly how to phrase and keep you listening and hooked on the songs. He seems to have a natural ability to breathe life into this songs. "I've Always Thought of You" is absolutely gorgeous. I listen to that song all the time. The cuts I listen to most are "Timberlake Road, "I've Always Thought of You", "Lutrell", "Since We Met", "Train To Dusseldorf", "Biskie", and "Ol Brother Hubbard". Tommy is such an awesome guitar player that you would think that two people were playing on "Luttrel", "Train To Dusseldorf", "Biskie", and "Ol Brother Hubbard", but it's just one guy. Just about everyone I've showed this album to has bought a copy of it and loves it. This is a must have for guitar players!!!! If you are an acoustic guitar player, buy it now!!

No my dear friends, this is not the same record made by a guitar player for the other players.... This is a GREAT RECORD! Music to enjoy, wether you're happy or sad, if the sun shines or night is kissing you.... Enjoy it, enjoy it, enjoy it, enjoy it, enjoy it a million times 'cause this is the number of times you'll listen to it. I've seen many great players in my life, but i must tell you that i saw a few them with the same passion, heart and musicality that Tommy Emmanuel has.... Buy it and thank me for the rest of your long life! Peace