Returning: Pieces for Guitar 1970-2004

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Guitarist Will Ackerman has often re-recorded his own songs, coming back years later with new interpretations and perhaps more refined techniques. Returning, however, consists entirely of new recordings of songs from the Ackerman archives. The founder of Windham Hill records, this is his first recording off the label since founding the company in 1976. He sold it in 1992, but has continued on it as an artist until now. Cynics might view this as a ploy to retain control of his catalogue, a common practice for artists who jump labels.

Returning is thus a greatest hits CD, albeit of all new performances. The playing and recording are sharper here than on those old Windham Hill favorites and Ackerman's compositions have rarely sounded more poignant. "Unconditional" appears even more classical and ruminative than it's original, while the new version of "The Bricklayer's Beautiful Daughter" makes the 1977 version sound antique, like a dusty slack-stringed balalaika from the attic. Drawing from his more plaintive repertoire, Ackerman leaves songs like the bluegrass-tinged "The Pink Chiffon Tricycle Queen" and collaborations with Buckethead behind. What remains are songs that have become old-friends to Will Ackerman fans, newly polished and slightly refurbished. --John Diliberto

Returning: Pieces for Guitar 1970-2004,Will Ackerman,Decca U.S.,Adult Alternative,Chamber Jazz,Contemporary Instrumental,New Age,New Age / Meditation,Pop,Solo Instrumental

Tracks:

Bricklayer's Beautiful Daughter
Anne's Song
The Impending Death Of The Virgin Spirit
Pictures
Hawk Circle
Barbara's Song
Unconditional
Visiting
Processional
In A Region Of Clouds
Last Day At The Beach

Amazon.com

Guitarist Will Ackerman has often re-recorded his own songs, coming back years later with new interpretations and perhaps more refined techniques. Returning, however, consists entirely of new recordings of songs from the Ackerman archives. The founder of Windham Hill records, this is his first recording off the label since founding the company in 1976. He sold it in 1992, but has continued on it as an artist until now. Cynics might view this as a ploy to retain control of his catalogue, a common practice for artists who jump labels.

Returning is thus a greatest hits CD, albeit of all new performances. The playing and recording are sharper here than on those old Windham Hill favorites and Ackerman's compositions have rarely sounded more poignant. "Unconditional" appears even more classical and ruminative than it's original, while the new version of "The Bricklayer's Beautiful Daughter" makes the 1977 version sound antique, like a dusty slack-stringed balalaika from the attic. Drawing from his more plaintive repertoire, Ackerman leaves songs like the bluegrass-tinged "The Pink Chiffon Tricycle Queen" and collaborations with Buckethead behind. What remains are songs that have become old-friends to Will Ackerman fans, newly polished and slightly refurbished. --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews:

Awesome.......2007-03-09

If you like accustic guitar, this is one of the best releases out there, but then again Will Ackerman has been a pilar in New Age music for a long, long time. You won't be disappointed with this release.

Returning: Pieces for Guitar 1970-2004.......2007-02-22

This is the highest quality recording of acoustic guitar that I have ever heard. Will Ackerman's guitar playing is very pretty and is a nice change from Leo Kottke and John Fahey.

what else can be said.......2006-11-20

the music speaks from his heart, it has a manner of calming us before it opens our own hearts... it breaks barriers of wonder, fear and confusion so that we can just enjoy it... immeasurably.. it's only got one place to be--> in our collection of top cd's of all time.

very nice.......2005-12-19

Will Ackerman may not be the fastest gun in the West. He may not paint with the greatest variety of colors. And he may not be the most imaginitive guitar player in the world. But Will doesn't need to be any of these things.

Will Ackerman writes acoustic guitar songs that are lyrical, songs that fully take advantage of the instrument's resonant qualities, songs that embrace not only the notes themselves, but the silence into which those notes disappear. In these crazy, tense times, Will Ackerman plays music that is relaxed, calm, and unhurried.

These songs are old favorites for Will's fans, re-recorded, re-interpreted, and delivered with perspective that only decades of performance can bring. This CD would serve as a very nice starting point for anyone unfamilar with Will.

A worthy effort!

Returning to the Past.......2005-11-12

I was prompted to buy Will Ackerman's "Returning" CD after hearing it featured on NPR. I already was a casual fan, enjoying his gorgeous touch on the acoustic.

The interview they featured as well touched on Ackerman's coming to terms with sexual abuse he suffered as a kid, and how the guitar was a sort of therapy for him. If you can transfer that kind of pain to guitar and make something good out of it, that's amazing to me.

Ackerman's classical touch, along with the other influences he's picked up in life make for a great style amongst the "new age" musical crowd, and his is pretty easy to pick out. Hearing "The Bricklayer's Beautiful Daughter" and "Visiting" under the new conditions doesn't diminish the compositions at all--either the old or the new, they're still remarkable works.

Several other tracks from Ackerman's past get a fine updating. "Hawk Circle" and "The Impending Death of the Virgin Spirit" aren't that much different, but still very good to hear again.

Few artists take the time to re-record and update their best, such as Gordon Lightfoot. Perhaps most are satisfied with what they've done, or the record company just won't go for it. But Ackerman took a step, I think important for him, and not just as a performer. To go back over these pieces and to hear them again, sometimes more than 30 years after they were first recorded is an introspective exercise, but also perhaps a needed one.

Pop Music:

Pop Music

pop music

Recommended Music:

Inky Bloaters [Import]

Lutoslawski: Preludes; Paroles tissées

Lycurgus

Music: Technology Alert, Vol. 15 + It

Kaffeehaus Lounge, Vol. 4 [Import]

Into Deep

Lady Soul [Import]

Joy of Cooking

Lo Scemo El Il Villaggio [Import] [Original recording remastered]

Mahler 8

Lost in Space

Live in Berlin [Live]

Grandes Exitos

King of the Delta Blues

The 50 Greatest Hawaii Music Albums Ever Vol.2