Album Notes

This album contains 17 of the greatest instrumental acoustic guitarists, from around the world, such as, Grammy Award Winners Will Ackerman, William Coulter, John Keawe and David Cullen, Grammy Nominees Alex de Grassi, as well as Preston Reed and introducing the next generation of artists, like Adam Werner, Chris Yeaton, Michael Hewett, Nick Cosimano and Sergio Altamura, who all bring brand new, never before released music.

Having considered all strings and past guitar compilations, it is exciting to hear this new CD that resets the standard for innovation in a time-honored
tradition. While the guitar-o-meter may well need to be recalibrated for "Woodsongs," it is true there are many such collections over the years that connect on technical and style levels, but few if any that have ever been so engaging, personally affecting and emotionally versatile. Above all, the sound quality is beyond brilliant, which can be attributed to the mastering of Bob Ludwig, whose credits are a veritable who's who across all musical styles. 17 tracks by 17 different artists make for such a full program that it will take many listens to begin to digest the artistic expression and mastery that is on full display here. Of course, several tracks will stand out for each listener. I was first taken by "Quintana Roo," an unreleased track from Preston Reed who employs all aspects of his instrument, and "Thank You" by Adam Werner, who conceived the idea for this far-reaching project. Later, I began really hearing the colorful, pastel beauty of "Hand Signals," a brand new track from Alex DeGrassi, and "After the Sunrise," a track by Robert Walling with female voices
woven through the mix. Even Will Ackerman, who contributes the exquisite closing track, "Last Day at the Beach," feels this surpasses the great Windham Hill Guitar samplers from the seminal period of that label (which he founded) and what previously epitomized this stylistic expression.
- Lloyd Barde, Backroads Music

"This collection of guitar features both established guitarists and new talent. It may be
the most successful and listenable compilation of guitar work I've ever heard; generous in
length, broad in style and easily on a par with the best work we did at Windham Hill."
- Will Ackerman

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