Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simple beauty, February 7, 2001
The unique talent of Will Ackerman lies not in technique, or elaborate creativity. He produces works that are based on the simplest of themes with no attempt at any real development.It is what he does with these simple tools that marks him out as a gifted and exceptional artist. Rarely will you hear such beauty, such contemplative joy, such soothing suspension of time. Aided in all of his works by perfect recording and production, Ackerman infuses this simple raw material with a sensitivity and expressiveness that is quite remarkable. Those who know his earlier recordings will remember the beauty of works like THE BRICKLAYERS BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER, and THE IMPENDING DEATH OF THE VIRGIN SPIRIT . SOUND OF WIND DRIVEN RAIN is a successful continuation. SHELLA'S PICTURES is gorgeous,drifting, quintessential Ackerman (playing solo, which I like best!). LION'S IN THE SKY has an opening which is breathtakingly lovely, and UNCONDITIONAL, I KNOW THIS RIVER, and MR. JACKSON'S HAT are further examples of Ackerman's ability to create a memorable aesthetic experience out of the simplest material. The addition,on some tracks, of Samite (vocal), violins, piano and English horn provides variety without breaking up the satisfying unity of the album, and the guitar parts are always deservedly prominent. Will Ackerman has his critics. 'Nothing happens in his music', they say.'It is pretty enough, but vacuous'. They label it (pejoratively) 'New Age', whatever that means. I can only give a personal response to this.....I think there are weak numbers in the Ackerman discography; rather bland pieces that won't get played that often. And all of his music operates within clear parameters. That said, I have listened, all my life, to many types of music, and can think of special, precious moments: Segovia on nylon strings,Rubinstein playing Chopin, Gieseking playing Debussy, the voice of Kathleen Ferrier, the sitar of Nikhil Banerjee, the piano of Bill Evans, the saxophone of Stan Getz, guitar pieces by John Fahey and David Qualey.To these I must add William Ackerman for those precious moments of uncluttered, simple beauty that occur often in his music, and are so spellbinding that all criticism is redundant. Music to help you journey through life....new age.....old age...any age!!
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful., June 9, 2001
By A Customer
I've rocked my baby to sleep everynight with CD, the music is beautiful and moves me to tears--there is something very poignant about it, it makes me believe in the gentle rightness of the world, just before drifting into the nightime hours, when doubt and fear can crop up, this music fills me with peace.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
supernatural, June 25, 2001
I was taken by Mr. Ackerman's playing in a Windham Hill Christmas CD. This CD carries Mr. Ackerman's style and sound with minimal accompaniment - very full and natural one can hear the overtones of his guitar. I play this album during Fall and winter seasons as it has that melancholy flavor a fitting backdrop of Seattle. This recording is very clean, clear, natural,full,and melodious. WHEN IS THE FOLLOW UP SCHEDULED TO COME OUT !!!!
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