Album Notes

Stefan Mönkemeyer – Fingerstyle guitar

Born into a musician’s family, Stefan discovered at age of 16 his love for guitar. Since that time it holds on to him (or vice versa at well :-) ).

Stefan’s repertoire contains Blues-, Jazz-, Ballads- and Folk - elements. At his performances he mixes own compositions and cover-songs.

Influenced by different styles Stefan Mönkemeyer plays his fingerstyle-guitar-music from sensitive - melancholic to bluesy - groove based. Tasteful guitar music to discover, enjoy and to feel good.

Press comments:

"...who has extraordinary skills in acoustic guitar playing.“ (Bluesnews, issue 46, July 2006)

"...Mönkemeyer recorded an exquisite fingerstyle album, which pleases in many ways...his accurate playing technique. ... skilful experienced, exciting - and depending on original - either very true to original or creative interpretations. But also his own compositions are convincing.“ (Akustik-Gitarre, issue 03/07)

”Stefan is a brilliant guitarist…” (Radio transmission Bluescorner 26.02.2007)

”Stefan is a very accomplished guitarist …” (Radio transmission Rockin’ XXL 18.05.2007)

“Stefan is able to play guitar blindfolded. ... This is guitar playing at its best. ...perfect guitar playing.“ (Radio transmission Das musikalische Portrait 09.08.2007)


From the booklet(excerpt):

"Dear listeners,

You’re listening to a very personal recording.

The originals of the covered songs touched me in a special way. I hope that my versions and interpretations transport these emotions to you. Even my own pieces are played in this sense.

Songs which are written by reason of love often have a certain kind of magic (Since we met, In your arms).

I like nature (Summer breeze, Fields, The south wind). When I was a child I often closed my eyes and turned towards the sun. When I opened my eyes the world turned into a surrealistic blue. In this way I walked for a while and enjoyed the moment and my Blue Daylight.

I enjoy sitting at the north sea and love to watch the interplay between wind and water (Wild water).

The piece Das Loch in der Banane is connected to a certain childhood memory. I couldn’t get enough of the intermission picture by the TV-station NDR.

The piece Friends is a hymn to all my friends. Friends help to survive the dark times in life.

I love Blues-Music (Stringin’ the blues) and used to listen to my ‘guitar-heroes’ like Stevie Ray Vaughan (Echoes of Stevie Ray) and many others and learned a lot from them. There is this special something in Blues-Music I found in no other kind of music.

Enjoy the music! That’s its intended use…

Stefan Mönkemeyer, April 2006"