Though this is by no means a review, I attended a concert in Fort Worth last night that’s worth at least a mention-and-a-half.
A buddy and I drove west to Bass Hall Friday night to check out a guitar virtuoso named Tommy Emmanuel, who, I’ll be honest, I wasn’t familiar at all with before the show. I basically agreed to go for the sake of getting out of the house more than anything else. I’m really glad I did.
First off, the show wasn’t exactly in Bass Hall, which is typically reserved for orchestras and members of the high-falootin’ set. It was next door in a Bass Hall annex building. That didn’t turn out to be an issue because the sound was good and our seats (general admission) were fine.
The show opened with a Canadian singer/songwriter named Tracy Rice. She’s got quite a voice and an earnest delivery, and writes a nice song, too. She’s clearly on the front end of her career so there’s not a whole lot of information out there about her. She has one independent CD called Out of the Light, which she sold herself at a table in the lobby before and after the show. She would be someone to watch out for if you’re into the Shawn Colvin or Kim Richey sound.
And then came Emmanuel. For those like me who aren’t familiar, Tommy Emmanuel is considered one of the greatest living guitar players in the world (really, it says so on his website!). The Australian Emmanuel is one of three people ever given Chet Atkins’ “Certified Guitar Player” status. Like the late Atkins, Emmanuel is a finger picker, which is sort of like playing a guitar like a piano. Each finger is doing something different. Strumming is not on the menu.
Article comments
1 - Guppusmaximus
Well, I think you should check out Andre Segovia then because Mr. Emmanuel isn't the first person to play three parts on one guitar... I do agree with you on the execution of a style if it really doesn't have any soul and if the music doesn't capture you then all you can do is appreciate it....
2 - Guppusmaximus
I got a listen of him at his site...You should definately check out Michael Hedges because I feel he has more soul
3 - Guppusmaximus
After a few more listens, here's some other people I think have more soul:
Ken Bonfield
Christopher Parkening
Michael Hedges(mentioned before)
Michael Manring(Bass)
4 - Joe Battista
Thanks for the suggestions. I've heard Segovia and Hedges. In fact, I have a Hedges album laying around somewhere. I'm just a rock guy. I consider anything past 12-bar blues to be "showing off." ;-)
5 - Lianne
"Okay, I get it. He's awesome. Can we go now?" Maybe you left too early, which is possible - he may just be too much..... Sometimes one has to hear Tommy more than once to see past the incredible technical skills he has, and the associations that may have for some of us. What strikes me most about Tommy and his music IS his soul....
6 - Ryan
It seems that you were taken aback by Tommy's sheer technical brilliance...which if you take the time to study his music you'll find that his technique is just a means to an end for delivering some truly inspiring melodies...He is as well respected among well known musicians as a songwriter and not just a "fast gun"...check out his arrangement of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" on Youtube.com!
7 - Jesse
Like all art, it is subjective and a very much a matter of opinion when it comes to likes and dislikes. I am no guitar connoiseur or musical premminence, but what remains a fact is Tommy is a guitar Virtuoso of the highest order. In fact if I was told he was an alien I would believe it, since I can't fathom how a human being could have acheived such a mastery of his art in one lifetime. Beyond this is his addictive charm and charisma that held me entralled in awe for the whole time that I watched him. A first and only in my case, nobody else has captured my whole hearted attention.
8 - Nikola
Hm...I'm sorry but I think you got it all wrong. Yes, people are stuned by his tehnique, and he does some pretty amazing things...but it's not all the thing of skill, you have to make all that, and his music i beautiful, as someone before me told, the speed is just means to an end...he plays with his heart and enjoys it very much and a very good showman and if you can't hear it because you're blinded with his execution, than I'm sorry for you..
9 - g
I understand exactly where Joe is coming from with this one. Does Tommy have Skill? Yes! Brilliance? Yes! Soul? Yes! He has all of these attributes and more. It is completely ridiculous to think that he doesn't.
However, having watched AND listened to about four hours of his work on youtube I have drawn the conlusion that it is sometimes not all about technicality and precision, nor is it about cramming as many notes into a single bar as humanly possible.
I cant quite place my finger on it but there is something of a disconnect which occurs between the audience, other musicians playing with Tommy and Tommy himself as his playing progresses. Could there be perhaps TOO much Tommy guitar...?
Not for one second am I doubting the guys amazing skill and talent but there is an old saying around town; Less is sometimes More. Going with the gut feeling on this one guys but there is a very delicate line between not enough and just a little too much.
G