Emmanuel, Tommy: Little By Little

Little by little you accumulate over 50 years worth of music and a great reputation as one of Australia's most respected guitarists. Tommy is a two time Grammy nominee and a fixture throughout Australia and the world, as one of its best finger picking guitarists.

This album is a great introduction as well as a good career summary of the different styles of picking and music Tommy can play. Sit back and relax and enjoy every minute of this expansive 2 disc production of some of Tommy's best. Even if you are new to his music, as was I when I received the promo, it is easily accessible and drew me in like a warm cup of coffee on a cold winter's day.

The picking will have you wondering how does he do that. The acoustic guitar playing is so intricate, and the music is dynamic and full of life. Tommy bounces back from jazzy impressions to country with such ease it will amaze you.

The highlights on Disc One were "The Jolly Swagman", "Locomotivation" with its bouncy rhythm, "Haha Na Haba" which reminds me a little of the rhythm of Steve Winwood's "Domingo Morning", the calming warmth of "Tears for Jerusalem", the intricate fingerplay of the "Fingerlakes", the classic "He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother", the "Mighty House", and Tommy's wonderful take on the all time classic "Moon River".

On Disc Two, "Tapestry" is a wonderful slice of life on a warm reflective Saturday or Sunday morning. "Countrywide" has a Mason Williams Classical Gas feel to it. "Willie's Shades" is a great blues song. The melody of "Smokey Mountain Lullaby" will inspire you up to dream you're up on Lookout Mountain. "The Guitar Boogie" will have you dancing in the aisles. "The Trails" will leave you on the perfect note wanting more.

There are no filler tracks here. When you have five decades in the music business your discography is full of highlights. This is an excellent album which will fill your afternoons and evenings with quiet dinner or reflective guitar music.

Track Listing:
DISC 1
1. Half Way Home
2. The Jolly Swagman
3. Locomotivation
4. Haba Na Haba (Instrumental)
5. Tears For Jerusalem
6. Waiting For A Plane
7. The Fingerlakes
8. The Welch Tornado
9. He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother (with Dr. John Knowles CGP, William Robert Scott and Sidney Keith Russell)
10. Mighty Mouse
11. Ruby's Eyes
12. Moon River (Instrumental with Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini)

DISC 2
1. Jack Magic
2. Papa George
3. Haba Na Haba (with Pam Rose)
4. Tapestry (with Doyle Dykes)
5. Mountains of Illinois
6. The Tennessee Waltz (with Dr. John Knowles CGP)
7. Countrywide
8. Moon River (with Rick Price)
9. Willie's Shades (with Anthony Snape)
10. Smokey Mountain Lullabye
11. Guitar Boogie
12. The Trails

Added: January 12th 2011
Reviewer: Mark Johnson
Score:
Related Link: Artist Website
Hits: 2337
Language: english

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