Joe’s sturdy and expressive guitar steps to the foreground in these instrumental compositions, while Janie gives her voice a rest to play keyboards and percussion. Other friends (Dan O’Connell, Randal Bays, Larry Mason, and David Malony) lend support and coloration to marvelous effect on Sound of Wings. Here you’ll find the perfect accompaniment to driving, relaxing, meditating, creating, or just hangin’ out. Rich, textured, evocative, and varied (everything from Celtic to country, from folk melodies to Pink Floyd comes to mind) with exquisite production values throughout, courtesy of Robbie Cribbs’ Sound Trap Studios. – Drew Kampion

This exquisite collection of acoustic guitar work featuring guitarist Joe Reggiatore is a gem. Joe not only impresses with his composition skills as well as his totally solid technique and bright clear string articulation on every note he hits. Something of a chameleon, Joe can move easaily from straight ahead R&B to Windham Hill-like open-tuning meditations. He is one of the most exacting practitioners of acoustic guitar I have listened to for awhile. Even though I think Joe is capable of becoming even better, right now I venture to call him my favorite acoustic guitarist. That said, I will venture further and declare that there is some great stuff on this CD and most of the rest is really good. I gave the music the road-trip test, travelling from Vancouver Island to Bellingham, Washington (via ferry over the water, of course) with the CD rollin'. The first tune--also the title track-- sets the tone and describes the landscape this guitarist inhabits, which is important because Joe is obviously well-read in the lexicon of contemporary rock, blues, "new" acoustic guitar, bluegrass, Celtic, and country music. From that first track, "Sound of Wings"--a fresh look at the tried and true open D tuning guitar solo--Reggiatore lets you know you’re in for something good. Riffing on two or three themes as though the music is being improvised on the spot, the tune wanders in and out of existence, like passing dreams--it makes my heart sing. Equally wonderful: "Rocky Road to Knocknarea," "Folded Hands", "Rainy Tuesday #4", and just a sweet romp in the bluegrass called "Frog in the Grass". It had me energetically tapping the CD case against my wedding band, the handiest percussion available in the car. It's what a friend once characterized as an example of "pure energy music." Many of the tunes on the CD bring to mind possible influences from Fahey and Michael Hedges to Mannheim Steamroller and the Byrds (I'm not saying any of these actually influenced Joe--they just resonate in my head). Roger McGuin, former Byrd, did some acoustic guitar work later in his career that had that slinky echo-chamber sound that Joe captures so well in the studio. Hedges was the consummate impressionist guitar genius, both live and in the studio. Like Hedges, Reggiatore can create a soundscape that makes the music almost swimmable, it flows so smoothly. Of course, the music on the CD is both original and unique. Joe's partner Janie Cribbs, who usually takes the spotlight with her blazing vocals, respectfully moves back a step (although not without some handheld percussion instrument in hand or a keyboard near by!) As well, there are other contributors to the making of this CD, but for me this is Joe's chance to shine. And he's shining pretty brightly.

This album really showcases the incredible excellent playing skills that Joe has. Often one gets tired of vocals and just wants to listen to instrumental sounds that allow for escape from whatever we are involved in at the time. This CD does that and much more. If you want to just kick back, close your eyes and let your thoughts travel through the realms of relaxation, enjoyment and fun, you can't do better than this.