Search - Phil Heywood :: Local Joe

Premier finger-style guitar

Leland M. Searles | Des Moines, IA USA | 06/02/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Phil Heywood is among a small elite of fingerstyle guitarists who follow in the tracks of the country blues players and steel-string stylists John Fahey and Leo Kottke. Not bound to mere imitation, nor to New-Age sentimentality, Heywood has a unique voicing in his playing. At once his compositions ring with evocations of the Delta blues, while his own musicality and sense for a tune finely rendered come through loud and clear. Here there are tunes by Bahamian Joseph Spence, Leadbelly, and Mississippi John Hurt, but Heywood's own tunes are not in the least out of place. His slide tune, Backwater, is utterly captivating, and all the more so live. Local Joe is one of three (as of spring 2001, with the release of Circle Tour) solo efforts by Heywood. Anyone who has heard Heywood play in person and who has some comprehension of fingerstyle and the sound of steel knows the amazing technical skill that combines with an equally superb compositional ear for expression. Local Joe is a treat that, unlike chocolate, I never sicken of. Be prepared for some fantastic guitar work."

Honest and snappy fingerpicking guitar

Plucky Dad | Georgia | 07/06/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"No glitzy pyrotechnics but congenial, melodious, and rhythmically surprising tunes that are easily digestible by non-guitarist and positively intriguing for guitarists (how does he do that?!). This is not "New Age" type of guitar playing but straight ahead fingerpicking bringing in elements of John Fahey, Leo Kottke, Ry Cooder, Blind Blake, and Taj Mahal. Three of the 15 tunes have vocals (my wife says he has a sexy voice, if that helps). The rest are great instrumentals that any guitarist can be envious of. All in all, a hidden jewel. So, go ahead and buy it. You'll be pleased that you did."