Customer Reviews

Shades Of Blue

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

With Shades of Blue, Al Petteway once again proves why he is one of the finest fingerstyle guitarists and composers. This is not a standard blues CD, although there is plenty of blues and ragtime on it, if that is what you are looking for. Instead, this is a series of compositions in, as the CD's title points out, shades of blue, variations on blues themes.

Al's style is pleasing and clear. His compositions range from enjoyable to moving. He plays with as much heart as he does skill, and his skill is considerable. I have listened to this CD over and over since getting it, and I am still not tired of it.

I particularly enjoy "After Dark", "Smoky Mountain Morning", "Alphonso Brown is Back in Town" (read the liner notes on this one), and the truly moving "Requiem".

The only thing missing from this CD is Amy White, who makes this already great musician even better, more soulful. She is the other half of the orange. That said, this is a great CD and will not disappoint.

I have been a fan of AL Petteway's guitar playing for quite some time but this is by far my favorite of his releases....it is all solo acoustic guitar and very very bluesy. I have played this CD many times and hear new favorites each time. Instrumental music like this never ages and is worth the money. His duo CD "Gratitude" is also very very nice.

Not only is this amazing artist a musical genius, he's an approachable, humble person. He gladly shares insights and techniques with his fans. This CD is a MUST HAVE for anyone who loves Celtic, Blues, Alternative and Jazz. It isn't overdubbed or reverbed, just clean music that makes you feel like you're there while he's creating. It's guaranteed to turn you into a devoted fan. You'll listen in total awe!!!!

If you're looking for a feeble, unoriginal, washed up, overrated classic rocker doing an "unplugged" tribute to Muddy Waters or Robert Johnson, don't buy this CD. The great thing about Al is that he is not just limited to the standard tuned, pentatonic scales over barre chords style of "white boy blues". Al is a true acoustic artist, well versed in many styles including Celtic and Folk. Al is also well versed in multiple alternate tunings which give his playing a rich blend of sounds and a dominance over the fretboard. His blues compositions do show the many Shades. Some of the compositions have a more gutsy/Delta feel, some have a more ragtime feel, some have a bit of a smooth jazz groove, while others have a harder hitting funk rythym. Buy it please.