Panorama: The Best of

Craig Chaquico | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 18, 2000)
• Original Release Date: July 18, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Higher Octave
• ASIN: B00004UAIW
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #28,507 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Native Tongue

2. Sacred Ground

3. Forbidden Love

4. Gathering of the Tribes

5. Café Carnivál

6. Return of the Eagle

7. Gypsy Nights

8. Lights Out San Francisco

9. Beyond Words

10. Blue Universe

11. Sweet Talk

12. Autumn Blue

13. Find Your Way Back

14. Acoustic Highway

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

When former Jefferson Starship guitarist Craig Chaquico (cha-KEY-so) reinvented himself as a pop instrumentalist in 1993 (the year he released Acoustic Highway, his solo debut), he brought the still-fledgling contemporary instrumental genre one of its freshest sounds in years. Chaquico blended skillful pop-rock-blues songcraft with studio savvy to produce a lush, layered acoustic sound so full-bodied that at times he seemed to be leading a guitar choir. His initial hit, the title track from that first disc (and the concluding piece on this best-of package), remains one of the most cheerfully infectious tunes in this category. Other selections on Panorama, a retrospective that samples his first five recordings, also capture the hip, lyrical joyfulness of Chaquico's early work ("Native Tongue," "Sacred Ground," "Return of the Eagle"), where new melodic ideas might pop up at any point in the composition. Elements of smooth jazz began surfacing on his third disc, A Thousand Pictures, and that trend has persisted ever since, draining some of the organic, free-spirited spark from Chaquico's music. The two new tunes found on this disc, "Café Carnival" (a Latin big-band production) and "Beyond Words," suggest that pattern still prevails, and while Chaquico can make smooth jazz sound pretty good (try "Sweet Talk"), that easy-listening glaze is an unnecessary crutch for such an imaginative player. Nevertheless, Panorama is an attractive package; just a touch too sweet in places. --Terry Wood

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars High Quality-Highly Enjoyable, September 16, 2000

By 

Gerrit Ruitinga "gerrit ruitinga" (Antwerp) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Panorama: The Best of (Audio CD)

This album is the high point of a "journey" I started a year ago when I bought Chaquico and Freeman's cooperation on "From the Redwood to the Rockies".

For a European living in Thailand this sort of music is not the most obvious choice, since it is very American. But...also very beautiful!! Since then I have bought albums by Acoustic Alchemy, Third Force, Petre White and now this one.

I think it is the best of the ones I have heard ( with Rockies a close second).

The songs are very gentle with smooth rhythms, superb acoutic guitar play and wonderful melodies. It contains however also a number of funky and jazzy elements in particular on "Lights out San Fransisco that give the songs depth and compassion and prevent the album from being the sort of New Age music they feed you in airplanes to fall asleep. In fact, it has nothing to do with that; every time you listen to this album, you have to pay full attention, you will discover something new.

For all fans of acoustic guitar music, do not miss this one and for those unfamiliar with (good) New Age music... start with this one.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Panorama of hits., July 27, 2000

By 

Gia "giamela" (Woodland Hills, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Panorama: The Best of (Audio CD)

A fine compilation of hits from Craig Chaquico and the Acoustic Highway band. This cd shows the variety of expressions and the innovative talent that keeps progressing to higher levels. The CD contains two new songs. The smooth "Beyond Words' and the hot & sassy, 'Cafe Carnival'. A must have for your collection.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gman, December 14, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Panorama: The Best of (Audio CD)

This is the only CD that I have in both my car and truck. I also have two copies in my house.I love the way this guy plays.His soothing melodies lift me up every time I listen to them.