House of Guitars

Ed Gerhard

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 23, 2001)
• Original Release Date: October 23, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Virtue Records
• ASIN: B00005Q6HX
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #156,621 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great acoustic guitar music, January 25, 2002

By	"greg_f" (Ashburn, VA United States) - See all my reviews

If you like good, honest acoustic guitar music, particularly of the fingerstyle variety, this is one of the best releases of 2001.

Gerhard's concept in ''House of Guitars'' was to use old, cheap pawnshop guitars (beaten-up Harmony's, a plastic Macaferri, etc.), such as many of us aging boomers first learned on, and to see if these old boxes had any ''old stories'' in them-- and he found some great ones.

Gerhard mixes three beautiful, haunting originals with compelling arrangements of some traditionals ("Poor Wayfaring Stranger" is done particularly well) and covers of McCartneys "I Will" and "Junk," Blind Willie Nelson's "I Just Can't Keep from Crying Sometimes" (featuring some great slide), and the sweet & slow love song, "Let It Be Me."

Gerhard shuns fast/flashy pyrotechnics and focuses more on the beauty of the melody and the 'story' of the song. In his originals (particularly "Promised Land" and "Because of You, This"), Gerhard reaffirms his credentials as a composer, and not just another player.

But all tracks are beautifully and impeccably delivered by this masterful storyteller. Highly recommended.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another gem from Ed Gerhard, November 29, 2001

By	Reading with Discernment - See all my reviews

Already known for his beautiful tone and phrasing, Ed Gerhard obtains super guitarist status by drawing out some of the loveliest sounds from beat up old instruments in this, his newest album. Even after hearing a few cuts from this album, you will never again blame a musical instrument if you're unable to get it to sound just right.

The novelty aside, Gerhard's original compositions and arrangements of well known and traditional pieces are gorgeous. It was listening to his arrangment of The Water is Wide (from an earlier album: Counting the Ways -- which I also highly recommnend) that inspired me to start seriously playing again after a hiatus of several years. To me, that says a lot.

He may not dazzle with the sheer technical brilliance of say, a Leo Kottke (or any number of the more contemporary string slammers), but Ed Gerhard more than makes up for it by making every note, every phrase and nuance count. As a result, you will want to listen this album over and over again.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Music, September 22, 2005

By	Jet (Georgia) - See all my reviews

There are players out there who play more notes and faster licks than Ed Gerhard, but none who say more with less. There is a unique concept behind the House of Guitars album - using cheap pawn shop instruments without even changing the old strings. That unusual concept is quickly forgotten, however, in the sheer beauty of the music. Each note has obviously been carefully selected for the mood it creates within the phrasing, and that attention to detail pays off in an album that can be listened to again and again. Gerhard has included an eclectic mix of tunes ranging from the blues to popular standards and original compositions. This is one CD that's always in my player, and one of which I've yet to grow tired.