Waiting for a Dancer

Waiting for a Dancer

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Legg has the rare ability to make one guitar sound like an entire band. On his new album, he effortlessly blends styles as if each finger were playing a different genre. Among the album's standouts is its opener, "Ragged Nail," which sounds more like an amazing Scott Joplin piano rag then anything I've ever heard on a guitar. He stumbles only once attempting to rock out with "Son of Kiss Girl," which comes off more like B-grade Satriani. Still, all is forgiven with the following track, "Kalahari Blues," which brings up dusty images of a scorching desert unlike anything since Ry Cooder's brilliant soundtrack to Paris, Texas. Where most recording artists rely on 48 tracks, Legg relies on 10 digits. In the end, he pulls together bits and pieces of jazz, classical, country (and anything else he feels like playing) to create music that is both seamless, timeless, and unique. --Bill Snyder

Tracks:

Ragged Nail
L'Amour Manque
Bayou Belles
Son Of Kiss Curl
Kalahari Blues
New Bougeoisie
Widdershins
Cuckoo Shuffle
Carolina Sunday Waltz
Designer Guitar
Waiting For A Dancer

Amazon.com

Legg has the rare ability to make one guitar sound like an entire band. On his new album, he effortlessly blends styles as if each finger were playing a different genre. Among the album's standouts is its opener, "Ragged Nail," which sounds more like an amazing Scott Joplin piano rag then anything I've ever heard on a guitar. He stumbles only once attempting to rock out with "Son of Kiss Girl," which comes off more like B-grade Satriani. Still, all is forgiven with the following track, "Kalahari Blues," which brings up dusty images of a scorching desert unlike anything since Ry Cooder's brilliant soundtrack to Paris, Texas. Where most recording artists rely on 48 tracks, Legg relies on 10 digits. In the end, he pulls together bits and pieces of jazz, classical, country (and anything else he feels like playing) to create music that is both seamless, timeless, and unique. --Bill Snyder

Customer Reviews:

Good, but not his best.......2003-02-25

If you're not familier with Adrian Legg then this CD would be a great overview of the kinds of things he can do with a guitar. But if you're a long time fan then this album is a lot of "more of the same".

Overall I think that "Mrs. Crowe's Blue Waltz" and "Guitars and other Cathedrals" are much better albums. Also quite good is the half studio, half live "High Strung tall tales".

Not a bad album at all, but for most of the songs on "Dancer" I had the feeling that I'd heard him play this before.

Legg's best?.......2003-02-19

Waiting For A Dancer is very hard to describe because the music is so good. I have trouble picking out my favorite Adrian Legg album, but this is definitely a contender. There is a just a overwhelming feeling one gets when listening to this album and most of it is downright entrancing.

Going beyond folk, bluegrass, new age, or whatever else people label him, Adrian Legg makes all of this music under his own unique style. Just some of the great ones are L'Amour Manque, Kalahari Blues, the New Bourgeoisie Waltz, Carolina Sunday Waltz, and Bayou Belles (does anyone know how he DOES that?). Son of Kiss Curl is very out of place. It's Legg rocking out on the electric guitar with a very simple melody line. It's a musical joke, yes, but loses its bite after a while.

Lovers of instrumental guitar will be oh-so-glad to hear Waiting For A Dancer, it's that worth it.

NOTE: If you're like me, not the brightest penny in the fountain, you will need someone else to point out the secret track hidden before the first track, Ragged Nail. It's a live recording of Norah Handley's Waltz, or at least some of it.

Little Known Great.......2002-02-07

I first found out about Adrian Legg when he opened for the first go around of the G3 tour. Satch, Johnson and Vai rocked, but the most amazing guitarist was Legg. No band. Just him and his guitar on stage. And, the sounds coming from him all by himself. I stared in disbelief as he played, and the reached over and gave several of his tuning machines a twist changing the pitch of the strings as they rang out. We've all see a guitarist do this with the low-E, but Legg seemed to play with his tuners more than fretting the guitar. It was simply amazing. The next day I went out and purchased "Waiting for a Dancer".

The album is a great representation of the live show. Besides one track, "Son of Kiss Curl", it's just Legg and his guitar. His runs are of blinding speed, yet entertaining and filling. He sounds much larger than just one guitar, and you'll be surprised that you are not missing the other instruments. The guitar mastery is present on "Bayou Bells" that starts off almost astral and then picks up speed.

If you love the sound of the guitar, then this is the perfect album for you. There is nothing else to get in the way of just the guitar, and Legg is a dazzling player. You'll be captivated by his sound, the fact that he's an electrical soloist, and his fast runs. If you get a chance to see Legg live, don't miss it. It is definitely a jaw-dropping experience.

Guitar for Giutar Lovers.......2001-09-30

Puttting the mic up close like this lets the listerner sit right "inside" Legg's guitar and enjoy tonal resonances, overtones and textural percussive effects that usually only the guitar player himself gets to hear and feel. If you enjoy solo guitar - this is a treat!

Excellent Addition to My Collection.......2001-07-27

I first heard a snip of this album on an NPR news show while I was traveling. I hunted down the artist on NPR's web site and I'm glad I did. I really enjoy listening to the unique guitar music.

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