Blair Jackson – Acoustic Guitar https://acousticguitar.com lessons, music to play, and how-tos for all guitarists Thu, 12 Dec 2024 21:44:17 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://i0.wp.com/acousticguitar.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/AG_Favicon.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Blair Jackson – Acoustic Guitar https://acousticguitar.com 32 32 103806923 Review: Sharon Isbin and Amjad Ali Khan and Sons Deliver a Transcendent Fusion on ‘Live in Aspen’ https://acousticguitar.com/review-sharon-isbin-and-amjad-ali-khan-live-in-aspen/ https://acousticguitar.com/review-sharon-isbin-and-amjad-ali-khan-live-in-aspen/#respond Fri, 13 Dec 2024 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=146196 Review: Sharon Isbin and Amjad Ali Khan and Sons Deliver a Transcendent Fusion on ‘Live in Aspen’ East meets West in this fascinating collaboration of classical guitar and sarod, captured live at the Aspen Music Festival.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/review-sharon-isbin-and-amjad-ali-khan-live-in-aspen/feed/ 0 146196 Review: Stephane Wrembel’s ‘Triptych’ Triology Is His Finest Work Yet https://acousticguitar.com/review-stephane-wrembels-triptych-triology-is-his-finest-work-yet/ https://acousticguitar.com/review-stephane-wrembels-triptych-triology-is-his-finest-work-yet/#respond Wed, 23 Oct 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=145705 Stephane Wrembel, Photo: Lawrence Sumulong The guitarist-composer has outdone himself with his latest project, a three-album release called ‘Triptych Phase I,’ ‘Phase II,’ and ‘Phase III.’ ]]> https://acousticguitar.com/review-stephane-wrembels-triptych-triology-is-his-finest-work-yet/feed/ 0 145705 Review: Sue Foley Honors Women of the Blues and Beyond on ‘One Guitar Woman’ https://acousticguitar.com/review-sue-foley-honors-women-of-the-blues-and-beyond-on-one-guitar-woman/ https://acousticguitar.com/review-sue-foley-honors-women-of-the-blues-and-beyond-on-one-guitar-woman/#comments Fri, 16 Aug 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=145601 Sue-Foley-photo-Todd-V-Wolfson For her latest release, Foley has shifted gears and recorded a true solo album, with just her voice and a single, warm-sounding nylon-string acoustic.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/review-sue-foley-honors-women-of-the-blues-and-beyond-on-one-guitar-woman/feed/ 2 145601 Review: Julian Lage’s ‘Speak to Me’ Is a Deep and Multifaceted Album from the Young Master https://acousticguitar.com/review-julian-lage-speak-to-me/ https://acousticguitar.com/review-julian-lage-speak-to-me/#respond Wed, 19 Jun 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=144525 Julian Lage Whether you’ve been out of the Lage loop or you’re simply Lage-curious, this album feels like the perfect vehicle to explore his talents as a player, collaborator, and composer.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/review-julian-lage-speak-to-me/feed/ 0 144525 Review: ‘Tripliciti’ Is a Brilliant Debut from a Fingerstyle Super-Trio https://acousticguitar.com/review-andy-mckees-tripliciti/ https://acousticguitar.com/review-andy-mckees-tripliciti/#comments Fri, 19 Apr 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=144424 Tripliciti—(left to right) Andy McKee, Calum Graham, and Trevor Gordon Hall—holding acoustic guitars. Photo by Pat Johnson There’s so much thoughtful and imaginative fretwork on this tremendously collaborative album that it’s worth devoting your full attention to it.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/review-andy-mckees-tripliciti/feed/ 1 144424 Review: Fingerstyle Virtuoso Tim Sparks Reinvents Classic Tunes on Brilliant New Trio Outing ‘Lost and Found’ https://acousticguitar.com/review-tim-sparks-lost-and-found/ https://acousticguitar.com/review-tim-sparks-lost-and-found/#respond Sun, 24 Mar 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=143845 Tim Sparks playing acoustic guitar You may think you know these songs, but Sparks and company take them to unpredictable and unexpected places.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/review-tim-sparks-lost-and-found/feed/ 0 143845 Review: Plínio Fernandes’ Spellbinding ‘Bacheando’ Explores the Lasting Influence of J.S. Bach  https://acousticguitar.com/review-plinio-fernandes-spellbinding-bacheando-explores-the-lasting-influence-of-j-s-bach/ https://acousticguitar.com/review-plinio-fernandes-spellbinding-bacheando-explores-the-lasting-influence-of-j-s-bach/#respond Fri, 23 Feb 2024 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=143767 Plinio Fernandes wearing headphones and smiling in a listening library. photo by Lil Eiger ‘Bacheando’ is a collection of works by Bach and by a few notable modern Brazilian composers who were deeply affected and influenced by Bach.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/review-plinio-fernandes-spellbinding-bacheando-explores-the-lasting-influence-of-j-s-bach/feed/ 0 143767 Review: Teja Gerken’s ‘Test of Time’ Is a Sonic Marvel from Top to Bottom https://acousticguitar.com/review-teja-gerkens-test-of-time-is-a-sonic-marvel-from-top-to-bottom/ https://acousticguitar.com/review-teja-gerkens-test-of-time-is-a-sonic-marvel-from-top-to-bottom/#respond Fri, 26 Jan 2024 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=143437 Teja-Gerkien-By-Mischka-Gerken_1 The Bay Area fingerstyle guitarist’s third solo album features a terrific mix of styles and influences and definitely lives up to its title.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/review-teja-gerkens-test-of-time-is-a-sonic-marvel-from-top-to-bottom/feed/ 0 143437 Review: William Lee Ellis Keeps Things Raw and Real on the Guitar–Driven ‘Ghost Hymns’ https://acousticguitar.com/review-william-lee-ellis-ghost-hymns/ https://acousticguitar.com/review-william-lee-ellis-ghost-hymns/#comments Wed, 15 Nov 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=142698 William Lee Ellis playing a resonator guitar. Photo by Jerry Swope The guitar work throughout shows Ellis’ impressive range, and the large selection of instruments gives each song a distinctive feel.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/review-william-lee-ellis-ghost-hymns/feed/ 1 142698 Review: ‘The Blue Album’ by Spanish Virtuoso Pablo Sáinz-Villegas Is an Intriguing, Often Meditative Sonic Journey https://acousticguitar.com/review-the-blue-album-by-spanish-virtuoso-pablo-sainz-villegas-is-an-intriguing-often-meditative-sonic-journey/ https://acousticguitar.com/review-the-blue-album-by-spanish-virtuoso-pablo-sainz-villegas-is-an-intriguing-often-meditative-sonic-journey/#respond Mon, 06 Nov 2023 17:58:46 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=142540 Pablo Sainz-Villegas on the river banks beneath a bridge with classical guitar These 14 pieces share a serene, mysterious, contemplative quality that's both compelling and pleasantly mind-opening.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/review-the-blue-album-by-spanish-virtuoso-pablo-sainz-villegas-is-an-intriguing-often-meditative-sonic-journey/feed/ 0 142540 Review: Hayden Pedigo Embraces Melody and Simplicity on ‘The Happiest Times I Ever Ignored’ https://acousticguitar.com/review-hayden-pedigo-the-happiest-times-i-ever-ignored/ https://acousticguitar.com/review-hayden-pedigo-the-happiest-times-i-ever-ignored/#respond Fri, 13 Oct 2023 23:47:51 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=142347 Hayden Pedigo, in cowboy hat, standing beside a vintage pickup truck Inventive sonic and instrumental touches throughout elevate what feels like a solo acoustic guitar album to something more expansive.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/review-hayden-pedigo-the-happiest-times-i-ever-ignored/feed/ 0 142347 The Perennially Eclectic Guitarist Ralph Towner Is Still Defying Categorization https://acousticguitar.com/ralph-towner-is-still-defying-categorization/ https://acousticguitar.com/ralph-towner-is-still-defying-categorization/#comments Sun, 08 Oct 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=141935 Ralph Towner seated, holding a an acoustic guitar. At 83, the prolific guitarist/composer continues to write and record vital, involving pieces. ]]> https://acousticguitar.com/ralph-towner-is-still-defying-categorization/feed/ 3 141935 Review: Molly Tuttle Leans into Her Flatpicking Roots on the Brilliant ‘City of Gold’ https://acousticguitar.com/review-molly-tuttle-city-of-gold/ https://acousticguitar.com/review-molly-tuttle-city-of-gold/#comments Sun, 24 Sep 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=141751 Molly Tuttle with guitar The group's sophomore album may very well eclipse the unexpected success of its predecessor.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/review-molly-tuttle-city-of-gold/feed/ 1 141751 Jaimee Harris’ ‘Boomerang Town’ Finds the Dark and Light in Emotional Journey https://acousticguitar.com/jaimee-harris-boomerang-town-finds-the-dark-and-light-in-emotional-journey/ Tue, 04 Jul 2023 15:17:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=139515 Jaimee Harris press photo by Brandon Aguilar Every song on this country-leaning folk Americana album is propelled by acoustic guitar and other, mostly spare instrumentation.]]> 139515 Belgian Classical Guitar Great Raphaella Smits Feels Right at Home Playing the Music of Argentina https://acousticguitar.com/raphaella-smits-feels-right-at-home-playing-argentine-music/ Sun, 18 Jun 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=135757 Raphaella Smits with guitar case The eight-string guitarist's latest album, ‘Che Argentina,’ is a passion project devoted to 20th-century works by seven Argentine composers.]]> 135757 Multiple Layered Guitars Stand Out on Steve Dawson’s ‘Eyes Closed, Dreaming’ https://acousticguitar.com/multiple-layered-guitars-stand-out-on-steve-dawsons-eyes-closed-dreaming/ https://acousticguitar.com/multiple-layered-guitars-stand-out-on-steve-dawsons-eyes-closed-dreaming/#respond Tue, 30 May 2023 15:32:12 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=139531 Steve Dawson seated with acoustic guitar As with all of Dawson’s projects that I’ve heard, his layered guitars sit front and center, but he’s also supported by a fine cast of other players.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/multiple-layered-guitars-stand-out-on-steve-dawsons-eyes-closed-dreaming/feed/ 0 139531 Elsie Franklin Offers a Mix of Bluesy, Vintage-Sounding Originals and Classic Covers on Sophomore Album ‘Miss Rhythm’ https://acousticguitar.com/elsie-franklin-miss-rhythm-review/ https://acousticguitar.com/elsie-franklin-miss-rhythm-review/#respond Tue, 25 Apr 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=136114 Elsie Franklin playing resonator guitar and singing Half the songs on Miss Rhythm are originals, though if you didn’t see the writing credits, you could easily be fooled into thinking that they were pulled off scratchy 78s from the ’20s or ’30s.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/elsie-franklin-miss-rhythm-review/feed/ 0 136114 Irene Gómez’s ‘Songs of My Life/Canciones de mi Vida’ is an Intriguing Nylon-String Mix of Beatles, Brel, and Schubert https://acousticguitar.com/irene-gomez-songs-of-my-life-canciones-de-mi-vida-review/ https://acousticguitar.com/irene-gomez-songs-of-my-life-canciones-de-mi-vida-review/#respond Tue, 18 Apr 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=136126 Irene Gómez holding acoustic guitar on bridge The nimble and expressive Colombian classical guitarist Irene Gómez has always played a diverse repertoire, as befits a musician whose varied guitar education included programs in her native country, in France, and at Juilliard in New York, where she studied with Sharon Isbin.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/irene-gomez-songs-of-my-life-canciones-de-mi-vida-review/feed/ 0 136126 Rory Block’s ‘Ain’t Nobody Worried’ Salutes 10 of Her Favorite Female Singers https://acousticguitar.com/rory-blocks-aint-nobody-worried-salutes-10-of-her-favorite-female-singers/ https://acousticguitar.com/rory-blocks-aint-nobody-worried-salutes-10-of-her-favorite-female-singers/#respond Tue, 28 Mar 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=134916 Rory Block with guitar Ain’t Nobody Worried, the third installment in Rory Block’s Power Women of the Blues series, takes the acoustic slide guitar master and blues belter in some unexpected but completely rewarding new directions.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/rory-blocks-aint-nobody-worried-salutes-10-of-her-favorite-female-singers/feed/ 0 134916 Great Picking, Singing, and Songs on ‘Kin Ya See That Sun,’ a Fitting Tribute to the Late Maggie Roche https://acousticguitar.com/great-picking-singing-and-songs-on-kin-ya-see-that-sun-a-fitting-tribute-to-the-late-maggie-roche/ https://acousticguitar.com/great-picking-singing-and-songs-on-kin-ya-see-that-sun-a-fitting-tribute-to-the-late-maggie-roche/#respond Tue, 07 Mar 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=135387 The Roches, 1980 (L to R): Suzzy, Maggie, and Terre The album brings together 15 previously unreleased live and studio tracks by two of the three singing Roche sisters, Terre and Maggie, who were a performing folk duo dating back to their teen years.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/great-picking-singing-and-songs-on-kin-ya-see-that-sun-a-fitting-tribute-to-the-late-maggie-roche/feed/ 0 135387 Kate Koenig’s ‘Immortal Rhythm’ is a Compelling Slice of Alternative Folk Autobiography https://acousticguitar.com/kate-koenigs-immortal-rhythm-is-a-compelling-slice-of-alternative-folk-autobiography/ https://acousticguitar.com/kate-koenigs-immortal-rhythm-is-a-compelling-slice-of-alternative-folk-autobiography/#respond Tue, 28 Feb 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=135398 Kate Koenig singing and playing guitar Kate Koenig describes Immortal Rhythm as “alternative folk," and there is a folk purity to the mostly crystalline vocals and much of the fingerpicked and strummed acoustic guitar parts.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/kate-koenigs-immortal-rhythm-is-a-compelling-slice-of-alternative-folk-autobiography/feed/ 0 135398 Students of Segovia | The Acoustic Guitar Podcast https://acousticguitar.com/students-of-segovia-podcast-episode-12/ https://acousticguitar.com/students-of-segovia-podcast-episode-12/#comments Wed, 22 Feb 2023 17:33:05 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=135497 Photo of Andrés Segovia with podcast episode title "Students of Segovia" To mark the 130th birthday of Andrés Segovia, we spoke with three contemporary guitarists who each studied with the maestro: Lily Afshar, Liona Boyd, and Michael Chapdelaine. ]]> https://acousticguitar.com/students-of-segovia-podcast-episode-12/feed/ 3 135497 ‘Once Upon a Harp’ is a Sparkling Collection of Turlough O’Carolan Pieces by Steve Baughman https://acousticguitar.com/once-upon-a-harp-by-steve-baughman-review/ https://acousticguitar.com/once-upon-a-harp-by-steve-baughman-review/#respond Tue, 31 Jan 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=134514 Steve Baughman with acoustic guitar Baughman’s guitar playing on Once Upon a Harp has the perfect combination of a light touch, rhythmic surety, and deeply melodic sensibility.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/once-upon-a-harp-by-steve-baughman-review/feed/ 0 134514 Polish Classical Guitarist Andrzej Grygier Wins Lucrative Baltimore Competition Purse https://acousticguitar.com/polish-classical-guitarist-andrzej-grygier-wins-lucrative-baltimore-competition-purse/ https://acousticguitar.com/polish-classical-guitarist-andrzej-grygier-wins-lucrative-baltimore-competition-purse/#respond Wed, 04 Jan 2023 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=134766 classical guitarist Andrzej Grygier It was a competition quite unlike any other, and the prizes the highest in any guitar competition in the world, with a $35,000 first prize.]]> https://acousticguitar.com/polish-classical-guitarist-andrzej-grygier-wins-lucrative-baltimore-competition-purse/feed/ 0 134766 Guitarist Scott Metzger’s Solo Debut ‘Too Close to Reason’ Is an Impressive Acoustic Tapestry https://acousticguitar.com/scott-metzger-too-close-to-reason-review/ https://acousticguitar.com/scott-metzger-too-close-to-reason-review/#respond Tue, 27 Dec 2022 14:00:00 +0000 https://acousticguitar.com/?p=133314 Scott Metzger with acoustic guitar Stylistically, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead guitarist Scott Metzger's solo acoustic album, Too Close to Reason, covers a lot of territory in what he calls his “sonic landscapes.”]]> https://acousticguitar.com/scott-metzger-too-close-to-reason-review/feed/ 0 133314