The Very Best of Acoustic Alchemy

Acoustic Alchemy | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 27, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Grp Records
• ASIN: B00006F1IJ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,653 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

No description available.
Genre: Jazz Music
Rating:
Release Date: 0000-00-00
Media Type: Compact Disk

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The most recognizable, not necessarily the best, February 25, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Very Best of Acoustic Alchemy (Audio CD)

Like a lot of people who went on to become big fans of Acoustic Alchemy, I first heard songs from "Natural Elements" on the radio in the late 80's. In those days, they were a guitar act first and foremost, a beautiful combination of nylon string and steel string acoustic guitars, with all of the other instruments very much in supporting roles. As the years went by and the albums kept coming, they developed a much lusher, very produced, sound and the guitars were not so much their raison d'etre. This album has a good sampling of both the early and the late eras.

I would say that one of the defining characteristics of Acoustic Alchemy's music is how well it holds up over time. I have listened to Red Dust and Spanish Lace and Natural Elements literally hundreds of times and they are as fresh and exciting today as the first time I ever heard them. To my mind, the later albums are spottier, two or three great tracks and the rest just good. I think this is particularly true since the death of founding member Nick Webb.

So, if you don't know Acoustic Alchemy, this album would be a very good introduction. If you like what you hear, I suggest you pick up one or more of their first three albums, Red Dust and Spanish Lace, Natural Elements or Blue Chip. If you love what you hear, try some of the later albums - I would say Reference Point, although others might disagree - just be aware that it's a very different band and sound on those albums.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Very Best Of Acoustic Alchemy, September 2, 2003

By 

Donald R. McMenimen (Greenacres, Florida, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Very Best of Acoustic Alchemy (Audio CD)

I have a few albums by Acoustic Alchemy already, among them, "Back On The Case," "Reference Point," and "The Beautiful Game," but this is far and away the best. I thought I'd play it as background music while on the computer but it grabbed my attention.

Even though you might think you'll be on guitar overload with 16 songs, it's just a very enjoyable album that I don't get tired of listening to. I actually bought this to give to a friend who loves the song "Jamaica Heartbeat," included on this album, but now I think I'll have to order another copy.

If you enjoy Acoustic Alchemy, I guarantee you'll love this album.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Makes me want to play all the full CDs, August 9, 2005

By 

K. Ries (South Carolina, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Very Best of Acoustic Alchemy (Audio CD)

As a long-time AA fan, I am very pleased to have a "Best" CD to slide in the player when I need a quick string fix. This is a great selection of fan faves and a good enticement to pull out the full CDs and hear all the superb AA tracks.