Smoothe Music
This is one of my favorite albums. The music is, in my opinion, excellently chosen. Some compilation CDs have awkward transitions between artists. On this album, the songs are arranged in a very pleasing order. You can listen and appreciate the different styles of the artists without feeling like you are getting pulled in different directions. The best way I can describe it is to write that it is like reading an excellently chosen book of short stories.

This album is fabulous for artistic inspiration. It is beautiful without being imposing. As a teacher of English, I often look for music that will inspire my students to write without distracting them. For the past four years, this CD has been one that my students have enjoyed listening to while they work.

Half good, half sleepers
If anything, this CD brings you up to date with who's who in the acoustic fingerstyle scene. I love the fingerstyle technique, but didn't know much about the current talent. Now I see these names all of the time in guitar magazines, and I actually can associate music with the face. So on an informative level, this CD does the job well.

However, the buffet factor did affect my opinion of the overall music: more songs means more filler. While I find half of the collection to be great, I felt pretty underwhelmed by the rest of it. There are no excruciatingly bad moments to speak of. The low points are just plain boring. And almost everyone here is trying their absolute best to ape the Michael Hedges approach. A find that admirable since I like Michael Hedges, but it's tiring all the same.

My favorite musicians here are probably Don Ross, Pat Kirtley, and possibly D.R. Auten. Ross is very much a disciple of Hedges, but his music remains compositionally interesting like his source. Both songs show off a good melody alongside his baffling technique. It really does sound like he has three hands. Pat Kirtley has a more subtle approach to the guitar. His Kentucky-Americana roots make for two very warm, laid-back tunes. He may not be flashy, but he has style. I like D.R. Auten's loose-jazz composition "Angela." That's definitely a high point on the CD for me as well.

When I saw Muriel Anderson perform, my jaw might have hit the floor. I can't remember. But she was completely out of this world. And I almost didn't go to see her play because the two songs she contributed to this CD put me to sleep. To B Or Not To B sounds identical to the Chet Atkins performance, and It Never Gets Easier is just as dry. Without a doubt I recommend you catch her live. As far as her recordings go, I have yet to hear something killer.

All of the other guitarists just sound like one another. While their technique is impressive and the music is pleasant, it's all too much of the same. Hopefully these other artists will grow and develop as their careers progress.

Absolutely fantastic!!!
A friend of mine bought this album a while ago and played it for me. I am a fan of Leo Kottke and so thought he was the ultimate in fingerstyle. I soon realized that he has competitors. This album is one of the finest I have encountered and will long be one of my favorites. It has inspired me to become more proficient at the guitar. Check out the tracks, To B or Not To B, Crow, Lunar Eclipse, The First Ride. The rest of the album is none-the-less engaging. Highly Recommended!!! Enjoy!!!

Truly Enjoyable Acoustic Entertainment
I heard this CD being played as background music to my daughter's guitar recital...as the audience was arriving for the concert. It captivated my wife and I to the point that I searched everywhere I could to obtain a copy. The music instructor of the night could not recall which CD he utilized (he apparently has quite a variety in his collection). I purchased six acoustic CDs in search of this one. AM I GLAD I FINALLY FOUND THIS ONE AT AMAZON.com! What a great mix of relaxing and diverse acoustic tunes. I am a big "Acoustic Alchemy" band fan, but this is my all-time favorite CD. And I really appreciate Amazon.com's extra effort in their quality packaging of these products. I haven't had a CD or DVD breakage yet! And the time frame from ordering to arrival is very impressive.

a true sampling of talent and style
I have a love for guitar music of all kinds. Be it jazz, rock, blues, acoustic or other. But more and more I find myself listening to lots of acoustic guitar, the warm tones evoke moods and emotions like few other instruments can. In the hands of these accomplished artists, the playing is raised to new heights. This is a great CD for driving, for quiet nights home alone, or with a special someone. Highly recommended for those who are just beginning to explore the genre as well as those who already enjoy it.