Album Notes

Award winning guitarist Douglas Back is recognized as one of the foremost authorities on the 19th Century American school of guitar music. Back's articles on guitar history have appeared in numerous guitar and related fretted instrument journals, and he has had four anthologies and recordings of guitar music published by Mel Bay Publications.

Douglas Back earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in music performance at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and The Florida State University. As a student he won top prize in the George C. Krick Memorial Guitar Competition in 1981. Since that time, he has gone on to perform for enthusiastic audiences throughout much of the United States, Great Britain, Australia and The Philippines.

"A valuable historic document, a curiosity, and a lot of fun. Douglas Back plays it all with huge gusto and no little ability!"
Graham Wade-Classical Guitar magazine (UK)

"possibly the world's most able performer of these neglected works!"
Bill Ash-St. Louis Guitar Notes

"Should be required listening for all of those interested in the all American programs that have become popular as of late"
John Schneider, Soundboard magazine

"These pieces are all show stoppers, intended to 'bring the house down.' Uncompromisingly virtuosic, they are replete with florid embellishments and inventive variations. He handles the embellishments with verve, fearlessly attacking each new passage (there is much to fear here, for a performer!)..Mr. Back's performances are deft. He has a clear understanding of the pieces, their rhythmic characters, and plays with crisp articulation."
Benjamin Moran-Guitar Review Magazine