18 Pieces For Solo Steel String Guitar

Tom Ball | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 28, 2003)
• Original Release Date: July 28, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Talk-O-Phone
• ASIN: B0000AZW9L
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #557,686 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Dirty Linen Magazine, Feb/Mar, 2004

"Exquisite taste... Ball’s nuance and sensitivity are astounding. Rendered with clarity, grace and fire -- a truly fine effort."

Product Description

On Tom Ball's long-awaited second solo guitar release, the guitarist brings his fingerstyle approach to a vast array of styles and compositions from eleven different nations: Paraguay, Cuba, Ireland, the Bahamas, Brazil, Germany, France, Mexico, Nigeria, Spain, and the USA. The music was written 500 years ago and as recently as last year.

In addition to the varied material, another standout aspect of this recording is the use of a steel stringed instrument -- in this case a vintage 1936 Gibson. While other players have recorded pieces by Brouwer, Ponce, Barrios, etc., on the classical (nylon string) guitar, to our knowledge no one has done so before on steel strings. The result is an ultra-warm resonance, with an unusual clarity of attack and an often shimmering presence.

Expertly played and recorded with tube microphones over a period of two years, 18 Pieces for Solo Steel String Guitar transports the listener to a musical world where contemporary Cuban composers can live next door to Celtic harpers; where Renaissance lutenists shake hands with Blind Blake; and where Merle Travis can peacefully coexist with Baroque composers. In Tom Ball's capable hands, it's all guitar music -- and fine guitar music indeed.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Masterful & Delicious Solo Guitar Offering, May 28, 2004

By 

Jazz Pianist "jazzwriter1" (Milwaukee, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 18 Pieces For Solo Steel String Guitar (Audio CD)

This extremely diverse collection of pieces is a treasure. World-class solo guitar playing, sensitive, intimate, beautifully warm, nuanced, impeccable phrasing and tone; you can play and replay this CD over and over again and find yourself elevated and refreshed with each listen. Heartfelt, quiet music--Tom Ball has clearly mastered his art. Highest recommendation.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous on every level, March 17, 2005

By 

Big Ears - See all my reviews

This review is from: 18 Pieces For Solo Steel String Guitar (Audio CD)

My writing cannot do justice to this work of art. Sparse, translucent, bold and beautiful. A completely stunning solo guitar CD with wonderful inner voicing, melodies, and arrangements. Mr. Ball has given us a very special gift.