This Way

Acoustic Alchemy

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 5, 2007)
• Original Release Date: June 5, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Narada
• ASIN: B000PHX55K
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #47,430 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

It's difficult to imagine another contemporary jazz group pulling off the neat melding of reggae and Latin music that Acoustic Alchemy achieves on "Ernie," its soulful tribute to Jamaican guitarist Ernest Ranglin. But you're unlikely to hear sitar effects and hip-hop on the same track, either, except if it's A.A.'s "Only in My Dreams." The longstanding British unit, co-led by guitarists Greg Carmichael and Miles Gilderdale, is in an especially expansive mood on "This Way," in terms of instrumentation (the guest players include trumpeter Rick Braun and saxist Jeff Kashiwa) and stylistic diversity. It's an album that pulls a Burt Bacharach-style melody on one song and utilizes tricky modern time schemes on the next. Programming is plentiful but restrained, placing the emphasis where it should be: on the clever writing and enthusiastic playing. --Lloyd Sachs

Product Description

Acoustic Alchemy are the British acoustic guitar duo of Greg Carmichael and Miles Gilderdale, and with "This Way" they are celebrating a remarkable two decades since their debut with 1987's Red Dust. For all this time they have been a quiet phenomenom, constantly topping the jazz charts in the USA, being nominated for GRAMMY's and touring the world. Following the pop-soul vibe of 2005's "American English", the duo have delivered their most aggressive and swinging, hard rocking and artfully jazzy disc to date. The regular touring/recording band of Terry Disley, Snake Davis, Fred White, Julian Crampton and Greg Grainger are joined by guests such as the buzz-of-today pianist Neil Cowley, trumpeter Rick Braun, saxman Jeff Kashiwa and, on the reggae-tinged Ernie, the great Specials Trombonist, Dennis Rollins. Just two tracks, "Out of Nowhere" and "This Way" feature only the duo - the rest are a fine mix of old-school soul/jazz, funk, reggae, and rock with a mixture of electric guitars, acoustic guitars and the horn section all combining to create a smooth but completely passionate album of classy jazzy guitar music.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Get the earlier Nick Webb stuff first, March 12, 2008

By	David D. (St. Louis) - See all my reviews

This album is good but not great. ALL the early stuff was beyond great. They are, in fact, my favorite instrumental group. But after Nick Webb passed away, AA became just 'ok.' If you get all their earlier stuff, and want more, then get the post Webb stuff. But not before! The order they came out in was: 1. Red Dust and Spanish Lace. 2. Natural Elements. 3. Blue Chip. 4. Natural Elements. 5. Reference Point. 6. Back on the Case. 7. The New Edge 8. Against the Grain. That was the last great album. On all 8 of these there is not one bad song. More than that, more than half of them are just sensational. A careful, thoughtful weaving of melodies you can't forget, with bridges that take you someplace else. Great, great, great. The group was actually started by Webb and Simon James. The current leader, Carmichael, came along after James left the group. Webb always played the steel string and James...and later Carmichael....played the nylon string guitar. In my opinion, the group was always about Webb. He played lead on the vast majority of songs. Wrote most of them too. After he left, the whole chemistry changed. Not bad stuff, but not the best instrumental group ever, IMHO. There's an interesting compilation of the pre-Carmichael stuff called Early Alchemy. Not bad stuff either and you can hear earlier versions of some of their classic songs. Get these 8 albums. You won't be sorry.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Who are Acoustic Alchemy?, July 2, 2007

By	S. A. Gilchrist (Charlotte, NC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Acoustic Alchemy is, or was based on the foundation of two acoustic guitarists with a simple standard format around their playing. Drums, Bass guitar, and some keys. Contrary to an earlier review, when AA bought their flight to the States from England by winning a talent competition to play aboard American Airlines(also AA...cute~), they did so as Greg Carmichael and the late Nick Webb... not Miles Gilderdale. Nick actually recruited Greg to form AA. Gilderdale did not enter until after 1997's Positive Thinking (which Nick contributed some song-writing to help in the transition that Greg would continue forward and keep AA alive). Nothing against Miles, and not to nit-pic about detail, but one cannot mention Acoustic Alchemy in the same breath without Nick Webb...but the fact is, the music that was truly AA unfortunately died in Nick's absence.
I've loved these guys since I bought the 1987 MCA Sampler LP that also included Larry Carlton and other up and coming instrumentalists. The element that made AA was the 'focus' on the acoustic guitars through the fresh, infectious melodies of Nick and Greg. They fused many styles, but always with a catchy hook and melody. I was fortunate enough to see these guys live in 1993 prior to their release of 'The New Edge'and also met them after the show(as they often met with fans for autographs) & was a definite highlight as far as live shows go. Really nice English lads! ((Get the 'Best Kept Secret' DVD!~and the counterpart CD, 'Arcanum'! ie: a nice moment when they were in Florida for a gig, and visited the launch of the Columbia Space Shuttle, inspiring them to dedicate a song to the awe that is 'Columbia')).
Since Nick passed on however, it appears to me that the formula that created AA was lost and to cover up for it, the acoustics that would grab you, draw you in and not let go, suddenly became mulit-layered, multi-instrumental, I-hate-to-say-typical, pop-Jazz that only leaves me wondering. Sounds good, and I'm glad that Greg's getting recognition through awards and all, but only pales in comparison to the years prior to the wishfully optomistic 'Positive Thinking'. I applaud Greg for continuing the dream, and I certainly wish him the best, but I'm sad to say, AA has left behind it's 'Natural Elements' for a more safe and formulaic environment.

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hypnotic and original., June 8, 2007

By	Marie deVarenne (Boston, MA and Leeds, UK) - See all my reviews

Since its inception as a duo in the 80s, the jazz-heavy, new age-focused act Acoustic Alchemy has undergone a number of line-up changes.
Based in the UK but with trans-Atlantic membership, Acoustic Alchemy is an adult contemporary favourite celebrated for making casually sophisticated tunes with a pleasing organic feel.
The road to instrumental stardom began when the duo Carmichael-Gilderdale provided the one-off-in-flight entertainment for a Virgin Airlines England to America flight, in search of an elusive recording contract; they often liked to say they "played their way to America".
Signed to the MCA Master Series label by Tony Brown, their popularity took off in conjunction with the New Adult Contemporary radio format.
The radio chart-topping and best-selling contemporary jazz super group, Acoustic Alchemy, has been touring for 20 years.
This "transatlantic" band has released a new album, "This Way" with music ranging from breezy jazz to pop.
It is completely original, distinctively featuring two guitars, and combining Soul, world music, rock, latin and jazz influences.
The album finds the band still setting up dramatic surroundings for the dual nylon and steel string guitars that have defined Acoustic Alchemy's style.
Some great smart jazz cats join in : Terry Disley, Jeff Kashiwa, and trombonist Dennis Rollins. Rick Braun makes a guest appearance on "Carlos the King".
In a set that consists of mostly originals, the balance is immediately established, the two British guitarists sharing roles and ideas, each supporting the other.
Playing for each other and the moment there are no bravura displays of technique, just music making of the highest calibre.
An original and hypnotic treat.