Past Light

William Ackerman

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 29, 1997)
• Original Release Date: 1983
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Windham Hill Records
• ASIN: B000000NFO
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #55,632 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Guitarist William Ackerman was still writing the book on the new age genre when this album came to light in the '80s, back when he operated the Windham Hill record label. You can hear many of the distinct, far-flung elements of the meditative, often-derided music mingling here in a somewhat pre-commercial state: classical, funk, folk, and more. Ackerman's guitar playing is often light as air, but his technique suggests a formidable aesthetic at work, rendering softness with expert, crafty precision. The slurpy electric bass on the opening track, "Visiting," doesn't do the rest of the album justice, especially the intricate, Tangerine Dream-style minimalism of "Synopsis." Of additional interest: the track titled "Garden," a fairly straightforward Utopian nod to "Greensleeves," features Ackerman's neighbors, the San Francisco-based Kronos Quartet. Kronos cellist Joan Jeanrenaud also guests on "Three Observations of the Ocean," a duet. --Marc Weidenbaum

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SIMPLY and ABSOLUTELY the Best Romantic CD ever made!, March 14, 1999

By A Customer

This is my very first review... but I couldn't resist the opportunity to share what a wonderful CD this is! If you have never heard this CD... you simply must! My husband and I first heard this playing in a record store in San Diego, CA as we were walking past it (in the early 80's) and we went in and bought it on the spot. It has accompanied us on late night picnics by the ocean, on romantic camping trips to the mountains and now... 17 years and two children later, it is still "our" favorite CD! Although the oceans and mountains have turned into precious moments we can steal alone... the very first notes takes us back to those other memorable times! The music is soft and yet has energy! It is relaxing and thought provoking! It is simply the most romantic and soothing music we have ever heard all on one CD! We think you will agree... Listen for yourself! You shouldn't miss this one!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ackerman - what he does..., June 10, 2004

By	J. D. Morris (Berwyn Heights, MD USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

William Ackerman is a delightful solo guitarist and a charming live performer, but I think he's at his best bringing out the talents of others. This album is a perfect example. Here Ackerman weaves rich and driving tapestries behind and around the "leads" of his co-performers. Shadowfax's Chuck Greenberg ads his soaring lyricon to Visiting to make it one of the highlights of the genre - I don't care what the Amazon reviewer says - and the album is worth it for this cut alone. But this cut isn't alone and the rest will engage you with a variety of different instruments and styles - all elevated and unified by Ackerman's artistry.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Making Connections, September 7, 2004

By	Marc Ruby™ "The Noh Hare™" (Warren, MI USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)

This is Ackerman's fifth album, and his style has steadily matured from the simplicity of a pure solo acoustic guitar to a complex sound full of acoustic and electronic resonances and a penchant for intimate ensemble playing.

Gone forever are the John Fahey and Robbie Basho influences. Or, rather, they have become completely assimilated in the artistry which will mark much of Ackerman' s productions - a heady combination of experiment, jazz, and, yes, 'new age' as well.

This new habit of going beyond solo performance has both good and bad points. The good is that Ackerman is no more compromising in his choice of partners than he is over the quality of his own musicianship. The combinations, which include musicians like Michael Hedges (Night Slip), Joan Jeanrenaud and other members of the Chronos Quartet (Garden and Three Observations of the Ocean), and Chuck Greenberg (Visiting) amount to wonderful music.

What one misses, though, is the delightful work Ackerman can do as a soloist. For this you will now have to turn to his older albums. It is always hard for a fan to realize that making do with the same old formulae can never satisfy creative musicians. Ackerman is one of those who are always looking for new transitions, not as gimmicks, but as a means of self-expression. For us, as listeners, we have the reassurance that great music awaits us whenever we listen.