Customer Reviews

Sidewalk Blues

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

 

 

I knew of Sparks by reputation as a masterful finger picking stylist who explored many genres on his previous recordings. Sidewalk Blues is a must have for fans of finger picking and blues guitar. Sparks' broad musical experience makes the album much more than your usual retro homage to blues guitar playing. He transcribes pieces like Louis Armstrongs' Potato Head Blues for solo guitar, and includes other adaptations of ragtime orchestral works. With his technically amazing playing and arrangements, the result is more like a Joe Pass recording than something you would find in the folk music rack at the record store (if there still were record stores). If you love excellent guitar playing, pick this up.

If you like blues and if you like good old guitar music this is a CD collection for you. One of my favorites to play while I am driving. Highly recommended.

Although I appreciate the diversity of Tim Sparks musical corpus, I really love the traditional blues and jazz that he returns to on this CD. His arrangements are excellent and his technique spot-on, yet it's all very musical and not just "flashy" or "showy".