Search - Earl Klugh :: Naked Guitar

Beautiful solo guitar music

Ron Cronovich | Kenosha, WI | 08/11/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The highly underrated Earl Klugh is one of the top guitarists in the world, up there with Pat Metheny and George Benson. His technique on the acoustic guitar is amazing, and he gets a full, beautiful sound that makes merely excellent guitarists drool with jealosy. He is an amazing composer, too. His melodies and frequent key changes are lyrical and uplifting.



His skills are very evident on this Grammy-nominated collection of beautiful solo guitar pieces, his first recording in 5 years and only his second recording of solo guitar (out of 30 records he's made since his stunning debut in 1976). This is exceptional music. Beautiful, sophisticated arrangements of jazz and pop standards, played only as Earl can. Earl's playing is accessible and appeals to everyone, including people that don't normally care for jazz. But jazz purists will also devour this magnificent recording with great pleasure.



Overall, "Naked Guitar" is a fine album and recommended. I also highly recommend seeing Earl live. He sometimes tours with a jazz trio, and other times with a 6- or 7-piece electric band. Both groups are exceptional."

Smoothjazz.com Review

Sandy Shore | Monterey, CA | 09/15/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"


From one of the true masters of Smooth Jazz comes a truly beautiful collection of solo acoustic guitar performances. What can I possibly add to the fact that this is Earl Klugh in a warm, rich, intimate setting, attaching his signature artistry to some of the most beautiful standards ever written, from Mancini/Mercer (one of the prettiest interpretations of "Moon River" I have ever heard) and Hammerstein/Kern (the entrancing "All the Things You Are") to Paul McCartney (a lovely ballad version of I Want To Hold Your Hand."). Mr. Klugh has even included some sweet whimsy on this album, with "Ding Dong the Witch Is Dead" and "Alice In Wonderland." There is one Earl Klugh original included, too, namely "Angelina," which stands up beautifully in the company of the more familiar standards. Also in the set is one of my all-time favorites, Leroy Anderson's "Serenata." NAKED GUITAR is an album to be savored, like a glass of fine vintage wine, and, although you could listen to it at low levels and still find it quite appealing, I recommend a much higher volume, perhaps using headphones, to best capture the depth and beauty of Mr. Klugh's playing and to not miss the intricacy and nuance of his virtuosity. NAKED GUITAR is a wonderful project, and one I consider being an absolute essential for anyone's library. It's a new classic from someone whose name has been synonymous with quality Smooth Jazz since the earliest days of this genre! ~Scott O'Brien"

Great album for fans and newcomers alike!

JazzyKlew | 08/10/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Earl Klugh's new release Naked Guitar really delivers, with 14 amazing tracks including his unique take on 13 well-known jazz standards and pop tunes. For a long-time fan, this record offers all of the inventive jazz guitar playing and improvisation that made him a legend, and for a first-timer, Klugh's incredible talent and style is introduced via popular classics that any listener can recognize. Of the thirteen covers on Naked Guitar, "Alice in Wonderland" is my favorite, because of its whimsical and delicate melodies. The last track on the album and the only original, is a version of Klugh's "Angelina" off of his 1976 solo debut, which is a great return to his early work and should prove to be a treat for any fan! Naked Guitar really has something for everyone, and is, at its core, a great and innovative jazz album."