Perhaps it was only curiosity to hear how someone’s playing had evolved since the 70s that led me to purchase this album.  Now, to be fair, a solo guitar (or solo any kind of instrument, for that matter) album isn’t the easiest thing to record; no band to fall back on, no vocals to cover up those little glitches that always seem to work their way in, leaving only the tunes and the player’s skill right out there in front.  Mark is obviously still a very good guitar player, however I find that these renditions of the tunes---with the notable exception of Rigel---lack passion.  The two traditional dance tunes, Over the Waterfall and Flowers of Edinburgh sound more like guitar exercises than something to dance to and John Barleycorn tends to fall into this category as well.  As far as the original works are concerned, Rigel is easily the best tune on the album; Sunrise at Kilmarnock is much too long.  In my humble opinion, to be filed under pleasant but unexceptional.  Close but no cigar. . . .
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