The Beautiful Game

Acoustic Alchemy

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 23, 2000)
• Original Release Date: May 23, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Higher Octave
• ASIN: B00004T9SL
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #33,553 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Without question, this is the finest Acoustic Alchemy outing since their 1987 smooth-jazz classic, Red Dust and Spanish Lace. Back then, the current leader, Greg Carmicheal, co-led the group as a duet with his partner, Nick Webb, who died from cancer in early 1998. With a new, expanded version of Acoustic Alchemy, Carmichael has significantly retooled the sound of the group, with the help of San Francisco keyboardist Terry Disley and Incognito member Richard Bull. The stamp of Bull's acid-jazz leanings is evident on "The Panama Cat" and "Trailblazer," while "Hats of Magic" and "Hold on to Your Heart" are two of Carmichael's prettiest guitar ballads ever. Loyal fans shouldn't fear Alchemy's change of direction; while the band seems headed more toward London, Carmichael still remembers that his first American records came from MCA's Nashville office. He does enough serious pickin' on "Kidstuff," "Tete à Tete," and the Dobro-enhanced "Big Sky Country" to help bolster the claim that jazz and bluegrass are cousins. --Mark Ruffin

From Jazziz

In the wake of the loss of Acoustic Alchemy's co-founder Nick Webb, his prior partner, Greg Carmichael, has created a whole new ensemble vibe by collaborating with formerly supporting members of the duo. The biggest differences on this CD is that Carmichael is more open-minded about spontaneous interaction and lays back a bit on the strings so that rich atmospheres can fill the picture. On "The Angel of the South," his and Miles Gilderdales" dark guitar lines snap along over Frank Felix"s rolling samba bass groove and hypnotic percussion fills. It"s a shame Guy Barker"s Latin trumpet doesn"t enter the fray sooner. "The Panama Cat" is a simmering retro-soul blues, with a reflective acoustic easing over a jumpy wah-wah line throughout. The title track"s reggae beat will remind Alchemy fans of the classic "Jamaican Heartbeat," but its moody ambience and occasional hypnotic piano swirls - courtesy of Terry Disley - make it sound like a 3rd Force tune. "Hats of Magic" creeps along coolly with sound effects, a trip-hop groove, and the dreamy interaction of guitar and Snake Davis" sax. For those averse to the exciting changes, "Big Sky Country" is typical, loping Alchemy stuff all the way. Another unique idea is having Steven Jones produce second versions of both that tune and "Trail Blazer" with an all-Nashville cast complete with appropriate steel-guitar, harmonica, dobro, and violin. Webb would be proud of his compadre's ability to move on.

--- Jonathan Widran, JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A New Beginning, August 11, 2000

By	P. Wung "Engineering is my vocation, volleyba... (Tipp City, OH USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Anytime a well established group has to regroup in order accomodate a change, the initial offering is viewed critically by their fans. With the unfortunate and sad passing of Nick Webb, Acoustic Alchemy has undergone this change. I believe that the group has indeed changed their musical direction. Not necessarily for the better or worse, but different. I personally loved the old sound, and at first listen, I know that I will love the new sound too. Greg Carmichael has assembled an ensemble of excellent players and the music is fresh and rewarding to the listener. The sound is a little funkier and more diverse, again it is different and it is a good difference. Not necessarily better or worse. If you try it, you will be rewarded amply.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is great!, June 22, 2000

By	K. A. Jackson "jacksonkdrdr" (Denver, Colorado USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a great recording! A lot of the songs have a newer, smooth-jazz edge to them that enhances Greg Carmichael's talents and doesn't diminish from their classic sound. The new members add a nice dimension to their music, which is nice. It's touching that they were able to continue to make great music after the death of one of their founding members. I think it's a tribute to Nick Webb that they were able to continue recording without trying to recreate his musical sound, something that will never be accomplished again. I would highly recommend this to anyone who would like a great instrumental cd!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great!, June 15, 2003

By	AnotherMusicExpert (Duluth, MN USA) - See all my reviews

Reading the other reviews here, it all really depends what you're wanting to hear. Jazz, New Age, Pop...whatever. I tracked down Acoustic Alchemy because I liked the background music on the Weather Channel! Tracks like Big Sky Country (country/pop) are superb in my book, and more of what I prefer to hear - mainstream, light pop, with some funk, jazz thrown in there too. I would say this has a little more pep & "pop" than their "jazzier" CDs. If this doesn't relax you, nothing will.