Customer Reviews

The Very Best of Tommy Emmanuel

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I first heard Tommy performing on TV a while back. I was blown away. I never heard anyone play acoustic guitar like him...ever! I then heard him live and was just so impressed - what a fresh new way of interpretting the acoustic guitar. No one plays harmonics like Tommy. So I ordered this CD and was devistated from the start. This wasn't the Tommy I knew and loved. It was watered down Tommy and doesn't serve justice to how good he really is. This is why I am being so critial. You will never know his true talent by listening to these CD's. The music is poorly produced and poorly mixed. Much of the time the accompanyment sounds like the main feature with Tommy playing somewhere in the background. In fact, sometimes it sounds like he is playing at the far end of the room, away from everyone else, or even in a differnt room altogether. Tommy's guitar playing is meek, not very expressive and is shrouded in effects. I mean how much reverb does one need. The drums sound like they come from a track machine with reverb. The orchestration is cheesy synthesizer tracks. I am not sure what went wrong here. I am still disspointed whenever I listen to it. Check out Johnny A for an example of how it should really be done.

Tommy Emmanuel is one of the greatest guitarists I have ever heard. He currently tours performing solo guitar concerts that are stunning but he has even more to offer.

Disk one of this 2-CD set reveals a guitarist that is reminiscent of Larry Carlton on some tracks and Stevie Ray Vaughan on others. His fusion and blues playing is flawless but then you get to disk two which has such accoustic Tommy tunes as Amanda's Room and Blue Moon. The effect of disk 2 is to demonstrate that Tommy Emmanuel is a capable solo guitarist in the mold of Chet Atkins.

So here it is, the most Tommy for your entertainment dollar. If you are new to Tommy Emmanuel this is a great starting point and if you are familiar with his work this CD is a great way to have a wide spectrum of his work in one place.

If you love great guitar playing give it a try.

This cd is a wonderful introduction to Tommy Emmanuel's music. This virtuoso has been hailed by Chet Atkins as "One of the greatest players on this planet" and was honored by Chet in 1999 as CGP. He's known throughout the world and is starting to make a name for himself in the US.
If you enjoy lush rich guitar playing, this one is for you. It's full of many styles - jazz, blues, country - and many moods. It also gives the listener a great sampling of his range both acoustically and electric. I've had the chance to see him live and he plays his music with every fiber of his being.
If you cannot get his whole catalog, this one is a great beginning to your collection

I truly admire the guitar skills of Tommy but they are well hidden on this two CD set. Buy the CD named "The Day Finger Pickers Took Over the World" to really hear Tommy (and Chet Atkins) play guitars. I wish there were a way to return CDs that you don't like... next time I'll take the time to sample the tracks!

This guy is great. This is the best version of Classical Gas since Mason William's original.

I learned about Tommy's existence through youtube and immediately bought 4 c.d.'s. This best of CD was one of them and I was amazed by his skill on the electric guitar! I heard him play acoustic but his sound and timing on the electric guitar matches his acoustic playing easily. (trust me, electric and acoustic are 2 different worlds)
He reminded me somewhat of Robben Ford and Larry Carlton, but mostly, I couldn't tell it was him. I had to check the cd to be sure.

In any case, I love his music and this CD has got some great pieces on it really completing my small collection. My favourite acoustic CD must be Endless Road, a true masterpiece...