In Search of the Turtle's Navel [Enhanced]

William Ackerman | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 11, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Windham Hill Records
• ASIN: B000000NEP
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #99,742 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. The Pink Chiffon Tricycle Queen

2. Ely

3. Windham Mary

4. Processional

5. Second Great Tortion Bar Overland of West Townshend, Vermont, Jose ...

6. What the Buzzard Told Suzanne

7. Barbara's Song

8. Gazos

9. Slow Motion Roast Beef Restaurant Seduction

10. Dance for the Death of a Bird

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You Have To Start Somewhere, August 22, 2004

By 

Marc Ruby™ "The Noh Hare™" (Warren, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: In Search of the Turtle's Navel (Audio CD)

This is Will Ackerman's first album, and sometimes, in some ways, I think it's one of his best. Keep in mind that this is a younger, brasher Ackerman, not very far at all from the modern fingerpicking traditions of John Fahey, Robbie Basho, and Leo Kottke. Rhythm, pattern, and melody line, played with the vigor of a good steel string. This album makes the connection between the west coast style and the more polished and controlled musician of the Windham Hill years.

Ackerman gives himself away in his titles - Like 'Pink Chiffon Tricycle Queen', 'Slow Motion Roast Beef Restaurant Seduction', and 'What the Buzzard Told Suzanne.' This isn't about meditating to guitar music, it's about playing, listening, and appreciating the find work of a player/composer who went on to make a very significant mark in new age and jazz music.

Some of these pieces, like processional, will reappear in different forms as Ackerman develops as a performer. Here it displays considerable muscle and surface tension. Later it will become more contemplative and inward bound. These early albums reveal the soloist side of the musician. In later years he will become more interested in cooperative efforts. None of it any less than great, by I keep coming back to the simple presentation he uses here, where he doesn't need to modulate the strength of his presentation.

Of course, you can start anywhere with Will Ackerman and be satisfied, but tracking down his old work it a chance for a great treat.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Classic of All Classics!, October 7, 2000

By 

Robert Lunte "Author of The Four Pillars of S... (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In Search of the Turtle's Navel (Audio CD)

This CD was Will Ackerman's first CD, recorded in 1976, its solo new age guitar years before Ackerman took the helm of Windham Hill.

I mean there are early renditions of his hit "processional" on this recording. That is very unique.

This CD rates up there with Michael Hedges "aerial boundaries", George Winston's "December" & Alex De Grassi's "Turning: Turning Back". Yet even preceding all those classics ....

You wont go wrong with this, beautifull solo acoustic guitar music.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A first record, good in places..., January 21, 2000

By 

Colin R. Glassey (Bay Area, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In Search of the Turtle's Navel (Audio CD)

William Ackerman was working as a house builder back in the mid-70s in the region that is now called Silicon Valley. He played guitar on the side. He wrote a number of tunes and his friends kept telling him he should release a record. So, he started his own record label and issued this record.

Obviously inspired by John Fahey (especially in the song titles) this is pure solo guitar music. It is not my favorite record by Will Ackerman. There are some very nice moments (and tunes) here but overall, its just not brilliant. His next two records (It Takes a Year, and Childhood and Memory) are vastly superior.

I'm very glad Will made this record, started Windham Hill and gave up construction in favor of music. However, that doesn't make this a great record.