Customer Reviews

Solo Guitar

5 star:		(10)
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It is a real treat to all guitar lovers, in particular the fingerstylists. Great arrangements (and more importantly they are musical)! I am sure that many serious guitar players are still trying to dig out the printed guitar arrangements of this CD from music stores (sorry - never available for reason unknown, despite the recording was already done many years ago.) In my own opinion, this is surely the Best of Earl Klugh so far. I am sure that Earl's fans (or probably the fingerstyle guitar fans) are longing for another "pure" solo CD of him. On the sound quality, I do agree with some of the reviews that the sound is a bit muddy. In fact, it is quite the same situation in many of Earl's CD (I don't know why). I don't care anyway, it is the music to count 99.999%

Recently introduced to Earl Klugh, this is a wonderfully inspirational work of art for any wannabe guitar player & amazingly uplifting for the ordinary Joe Blow. "If I only had a brain" makes you want to laugh & cry at the same time. Do not miss the oppertunity to own a "to be" classic CD.

Been listening to Earl since 83. Yet this one is the purest form of his music. Earl (if you ever read this), please do volume 2 of the solo album!

I am not sure what type of audio equipment the previous writer was listening to, but using a single ended triode tube amp with a quality digital to analog converter and good cables this is a wonderful recording - one can even hear Earl Klugh's fingers sliding down the steel strings of the guitar neck - as well as the fingers lifting off the strings. It appears the album was recorded with a single microphone - the sound stage is full and perfectly centered on a two channel playback system. I've owned this CD for many years and it has become my favorite CD - period. I use it to test audio equipment for proper speaker placement as well as detail and overall resolution. Klugh's interpretation of the various songs is smooth, soothing and peaceful. Truly one of his finest works.

The CD is Klugh at his best but I think he is always at his best when he has his guitar in his hand! Truly, this is a remarkable CD for any player of guitar and will amaze the non-musician (musicans too) and place the listener in a subtle transient state--relaxed and smooth.

Earl Klugh is one of very few artists who maintains musical integrity although many would argue otherwise. He can play upbeat "Happy Jazz" and then pull off an entire CD full of music like what is on this solo masterpeice!

It really will, one day, be considered a collector's item. Great job Earl! :0) JETT

Been listening to Earl since 83. Yet this one is the purest form of his music. Earl (if you ever read this), please do volume 2 of the solo album!

This recording is a fulfillment of Earl Klugh's long time dream in his entire career to do a solo guitar, and he did magnificent and stellar performances! He played his favorite musical instrument with ease, adeptness and precision. His mastery of the guitar and his excellent interpretations of nice collection of standards make this CD a keeper. This is the best CD from my Earl Klugh collection. You could listen to it forever!

My personal favorites and highlights are the great Gershwins' "Love Is Here To Stay" (this one is superb and I just love it!) and "Embraceable You," Jerome Kern's "The Way You Look Tonight," Sergio Mendes' "So Many Stars," Johnny Mercer's "Autumn Leaves," and Burt Bacharach's "Any Old Time Of The Day."

This CD is a must-have not only for all guitar lovers but also for everyone who appreciates good music and talented artists.

I love this cd. Earl Klug is a marvel with a guitar. I get lost in the music whenever it comes on in the shuffle. "So Many Stars" brings tears to my eyes.
Every cut is a gem. It is all so subtle, but powerful. It also makes great background music.

Klugh hit a high note with his fellow solo guitarists when he released this Classic recording. Along with Charlie Byrd, Joe Pass and a select few, he has defined solo fingerstyle guitar.

For another look at this material on solo guitar, see Acoustic Standards - Volume 1 and Acoustic Standards - Volume 2 by Rick Kuncicky, an amazing fingerstyle/classical guitarist with a wide range of influences from Chet Atkins & Charlie Byrd to Earl Klugh & Guy Van Duser, but with a fresh style that's all his own.

Most of Earl Klugh's Career has been spent with his guitar playing in settings that were less than ideal for such an accomplished musician. This changed in 1989 with the release of "Solo Guitar."
Ever since that release many of his fans, including this writer, have been waiting for another album of solo guitar pieces. Well at last, the wait is over for us.
"Naked Guitar," features Klugh once again in the most intimate of settings; just one man and one guitar. While the material here may arguably not be as familiar as those of its predecessor, the set is tight and the songs fit well together.
Even when Klugh plays "Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead," from "The Wizard Of Oz." it seems to fit right in with the other pieces. If there is anything that seems out of place here, it is his rendition of Lennon And McCartney's "I Want To Hold Your Hand." Klugh's unique chord voicings and penchant for melody make for an interesting interpretation of that very familiar tune.
Other highlights are the lovely "All The Things You Are" by Jerome Kern And Oscar Hammerstein II and Henry Mancini's "Moon River."
This is the perfect CD to put on after a long day to unwind or for a drive in the country. Klugh suprises, enchants and intrigues, but never disappoints. This is a great CD.