This album is a splendid synergy of two guitarists with very different styles. One has the feeling of two musicians who really are enjoying the music they are creating and the effect is really contagious!

This is one terrific CD I can listen to again and again. The talent of each musician compliments the other to produce something very special.

I was delighted to hear that these two had teamed up. Great recording from two of Portland's hidden treasures. Bravo!

Playing Time – 54:11 -- Jamie Stillway and Ben Bonham are two Portland-based acoustic guitarists who fully understand the dynamics of music. Their collaborative techniques stress the importance of tempo, timing and pacing. Their natural rhythm reward us with a strong sense of the musical moment that incorporates gypsy jazz, country blues, Delta blues, ragtime and even some Hawaiian influences. Jamie uses a Gibson L-1 or Santa Cruz OM-PW guitar. Ben plays a Kinkade guitar, National Tricone, or Tut Taylor dobro. All of the cuts were recorded live. Of the 13 tracks, ten are originals. I was surprised that I hadn’t heard more about this duo from my home state of Oregon. If they lived closer, I’d definitely invite them over for a jam session because they play some very lively, fun music and I can hear some mandolin, violin or bass embellishing some of their arrangements. Stillway, originally from Minnesota where she was trained in classical guitar, only recently moved to Portland. United Kingdom native Bonham traveled extensively before relocating to the U.S. 1996, and he has released several albums. He often performs as a one-man band. Their proficient playing demonstrate good mastery of chording, melodic soloing, hammering on, pulling off, using harmonics, and damping. Some of their songs use alternate tunings (open G and D tunings) for a little variety. Most of their songs are delightfully upbeat, toe-tapping crowd-pleasers. Within their creations, you can hear the influence of famous players like Robert Johnson, Django Reinhardt, Blind Blake, and Keola Beamer. The CD opens with the high-stepping “Insomniac Sunrise,” and closes with the reflective slack-key guitar piece, “Hue Hue.” Between these two tracks are a variety of bright and breezy, peppy and leisurely numbers. “Jaden” is a slower composition that allows each musician to melodically explore and improvise, tapping energy from each other. And, three minutes after the album’s conclusionary track, another rendition of Bonham’s “Lottie’s Song” mysteriously appears. Their most technically impressive numbers on this eponymously-titled project are probably two slower-tempo’ed tunes, “Waverleigh Heights” and “Dominsomido.” The latter seems to incorporate a few Latin sensibilities. “Tiki Tantrum” is sure to evoke a smile. Their instrumental cover of Helen Parker’s “Akaka Falls” gives me a strong craving for some poi with my coffee as I contemplate the enjoyment of a sandy beach and tropical waterfalls. I certainly wouldn’t have minded some hot guest fiddling in the mix along with the Djangoesque “Worker’s Comp” and “Trivial Pursuit.” A swingy “Lottie’s Song” makes one want to jump up and start shuffling around the dance floor of your kitchen. Both “Tiki Tantrum” and “Hue Hue” also appear on Bonham’s album, “Waikiki Steel Works,” recorded with San Francisico guitarist Frank Novicki. This album is a great showcase of Stillway and Bonham’s singularly impressive talents. Together, they impart a rhythmic intensity that is remarkably powerful for an acoustic duo. Both Stillway and Bonham are much in-demand guitar teachers, and their familiarity with many genres would certainly allow a student to focus on the specific music that interests them. (Joe Ross)