"Throughout the Autumn Light" is the fourth release from acoustic guitarist/composer Robert Linton. Mixed, mastered, and co-produced (with Linton) by Grammy winning producer Corin Nelsen, some of the ten tracks are solo guitar while some are backed by an impressive group of musicians (as duets), most of whom play on many of Will Ackerman’s productions (Ackerman produced Linton’s previous release Whisperings At Nightfall). The overall sound of the album is warm yet pristine and clear. Most of the pieces are paced at about the same tempo, which makes the album ideal for meditation, massage, or quiet background music. While the music is slow and relatively uncomplicated, the soulful melancholy is stirring and poignant. 
 
"Throughout the Autumn Light" begins with the title track, a sweet and gentle guitar solo that evolves into a guitar/cello duet with Stephen Katz. Tinged with melancholy reflection, it gracefully anticipates the coming changes of season. “Drifting Reflections” is a gorgeous duet for guitar and English horn (Jill Haley). Flowing and effortless with occasional pauses (like true reflection!), this is a favorite. The nostalgic and dreamy “Seasons of Years Past” brings in Tracy Silverman on violin, adding soft color washes to the gentle guitar. “Glistening After The Mist” is a collaboration with Jeff Pearce on EBow guitar (The EBow is a hand-held electronic bow that replaces the pick, allowing the guitarist to mimic strings, horns, and woodwinds.). As always, Pearce is evocative and masterful. The guitar solo “Shifting to the Fall” has an almost tragic air that is achingly beautiful - another favorite! I also love “Winds Swaying the Trees” with Stephen Katz. The cello/guitar combo isn’t very common, but this album makes me think it should be. The velvet tones of the cello are the perfect complement to the plucked guitar strings. “Sweet Dreams” is a tender solo guitar lullaby. The closing track is “Evening Sunset” with Jeff Oster on flugelhorn - another instrumental combo you don’t hear very often but that works well. Soothing and relaxing, it’s a lovely finish to an exceptional album. 
 
"Throughout the Autumn Light" is a beauty from start to finish! Recommended!
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Robert Linton is a man of deep thoughtfulness, and this sensitivity is evident on his latest recording of lyrical guitar instrumentals.

Linton plays finger-style nylon-string guitar on the ten tracks, which exude such tranquil beauty and peaceful solace that they work their way into your soul without you even realizing it. They become part of your being without any conscious effort or mood-setting required, which is the essence of true musical artistry.

While the compositions and the guitar-playing stand on their own, they are beautifully accented on various tracks by Stephen Katz on cello, Tracy Silverman on violin, Jill Haley on English horn, Jeff Oster on flugelhorn, and Jeff Pearce on e-bow guitar. The most affecting of these collaborations for me is “Glistening in the Mist,” with the gentle finger-picked strokes of Linton’s classical guitar and the drawn-out siren-like sustain of Pearce’s e-bow guitar creating a lingering, haunting eloquence. I hope that Linton and Pearce seriously consider recording an album of classical/e-bow guitar duets.

This is a fine guitar album and is highly recommended for guitar enthusiasts as well as anyone seeking a perfect soundtrack for relaxation and solitude.
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Falling softly like leaves from a tree, the first gentle notes glide effortlessly from Robert Linton’s guitar creating an ambience that is perfectly described in the title of his latest CD. This atmosphere continues throughout the album and is captured in song names like “Glistening after the Mist”, “Shifting to the Fall”, “Seasons of Years Past”, and “Evening Sunset.” Robert’s instrument of choice is the nylon string acoustic guitar, which he tends to pluck fingerstyle, rather than strum, providing a harp-like sonority, which I found quite heavenly and relaxing. In fact, if you are looking for the perfect soundtrack for a mellow Sunday morning, you couldn’t do much better than this.

Complimenting the guitar with Zen-like brush strokes of sound are some wonderfully talented instrumentalists with impressive recording credentials in their own right. Among them are Jill Haley (English Horn), Stephen Katz (Cello), Tracy Silverman (Violin), Jeff Oster (Flugelhorn), and Jeff Pearce (E-Bow Guitar).

This album definitely captures the feeling of Autumn in that it’s melodies are more introspective and reflective, like a world preparing for the calm of Winter, rather than portraying the bright buzzing energy of Spring or Summer. Robert Linton has the artistic acuity to convey a particular mood in a way that envelops the listener and draws them into his space for the duration of the recording. His guitar playing is sensitive, deft, and evocative, providing a gentle journey you’ll want to embark upon often.

For a full length review of this CD as well as others, please visit: 
www.michaeldiamondmusic.com
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