Panorama: The Best of Craig Chaquico

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
When former Jefferson Starship guitarist Craig Chaquico (cha-KEY-so) reinvented himself as a pop instrumentalist in 1993 (the year he released Acoustic Highway, his solo debut), he brought the still-fledgling contemporary instrumental genre one of its freshest sounds in years. Chaquico blended skillful pop-rock-blues songcraft with studio savvy to produce a lush, layered acoustic sound so full-bodied that at times he seemed to be leading a guitar choir. His initial hit, the title track from that first disc (and the concluding piece on this best-of package), remains one of the most cheerfully infectious tunes in this category. Other selections on Panorama, a retrospective that samples his first five recordings, also capture the hip, lyrical joyfulness of Chaquico's early work ("Native Tongue," "Sacred Ground," "Return of the Eagle"), where new melodic ideas might pop up at any point in the composition. Elements of smooth jazz began surfacing on his third disc, A Thousand Pictures, and that trend has persisted ever since, draining some of the organic, free-spirited spark from Chaquico's music. The two new tunes found on this disc, "Café Carnival" (a Latin big-band production) and "Beyond Words," suggest that pattern still prevails, and while Chaquico can make smooth jazz sound pretty good (try "Sweet Talk"), that easy-listening glaze is an unnecessary crutch for such an imaginative player. Nevertheless, Panorama is an attractive package; just a touch too sweet in places. --Terry Wood

Panorama: The Best of Craig Chaquico,Craig Chaquico,Higher Octave,Adult Alternative,Contemporary Instrumental,Electro-Acoustic,New Age,New Age / Meditation,Pop,Smooth Jazz

Tracks:

Native Tongue
Sacred Ground
Forbidden Love
Gathering Of The Tribes
Cafe Carnival
Return Of The Eagle
Gypsy Nights
Lights Out San Francisco
Beyond Words
Blue Universe
Sweet Talk
Autumn Blue
Find Your Way Back
Acoustic Highway

Amazon.com

When former Jefferson Starship guitarist Craig Chaquico (cha-KEY-so) reinvented himself as a pop instrumentalist in 1993 (the year he released Acoustic Highway, his solo debut), he brought the still-fledgling contemporary instrumental genre one of its freshest sounds in years. Chaquico blended skillful pop-rock-blues songcraft with studio savvy to produce a lush, layered acoustic sound so full-bodied that at times he seemed to be leading a guitar choir. His initial hit, the title track from that first disc (and the concluding piece on this best-of package), remains one of the most cheerfully infectious tunes in this category. Other selections on Panorama, a retrospective that samples his first five recordings, also capture the hip, lyrical joyfulness of Chaquico's early work ("Native Tongue," "Sacred Ground," "Return of the Eagle"), where new melodic ideas might pop up at any point in the composition. Elements of smooth jazz began surfacing on his third disc, A Thousand Pictures, and that trend has persisted ever since, draining some of the organic, free-spirited spark from Chaquico's music. The two new tunes found on this disc, "Café Carnival" (a Latin big-band production) and "Beyond Words," suggest that pattern still prevails, and while Chaquico can make smooth jazz sound pretty good (try "Sweet Talk"), that easy-listening glaze is an unnecessary crutch for such an imaginative player. Nevertheless, Panorama is an attractive package; just a touch too sweet in places. --Terry Wood

Customer Reviews:

Craig Chaquico's best is best!.......2007-04-19

This CD is quickly becoming one of my favorites. I was familiar with several of the songs before I ordered the CD, but there were other beautiful songs on the CD that have made me a true fan. While I recognized Chaquico as having a mellow Spanish-guitar style, I really got a sense of Native American tones in the music on this CD - a really well-developed theme and a great sound. This CD was WELL worth the price!

Soothing.......2007-02-19

This is an excellent CD to fall asleep with. I love it & even my children ask that I put it on at night. It is so peaceful.

Magnificent Talent.......2006-08-28

I am no expert, by any means, on acoustic guitar music. I just know what I like. I LOVE this album. The music weaves and meanders into your soul. Soothing at times then building to a crescendo of ecstacy. You can almost feel the strings vibrating as Craig applies his talent. I can listen to it over and over.

Ambrosia for the Soul.......2005-08-18

There isn't a track on the CD that doesn't inspire your soul in some way. Whether being touched by some of the darker, brooding music or the livelier, uplifting sounds. Sometimes artists should just let their music come through and forget about lyrics. Panorama is a perfect example of what other musicians should strive for. This is an excellent CD and the guitar is fantastic.

Panorama is the most to say about this album !!!.......2005-02-10

Panorama is the most to say about this album because this album is like a mental vision of a series of events!Since his 1993 debut Acoustic Highway, Craig Chaquico's creative blending of snappy guitar melodies and subtle Native American textures has contributed something of a spiritual nature to smooth jazz. The twelve "greatest hits" tracks of Panorama: The Best of Craig Chaquico bear out this evolution. Earlier material like the soundscape-heavy "Gathering of the Tribes"(my favorite song) and the full of energy "Native Tongue" let his guitar lead the way."Cafe Carnival" is a latin influenced song that makes you wanna dance after you hear it. "Sweet Talk" and "Autumn Blue" added the blistering tenor counterpoint of Richard Elliot's saxophone.This CD is a time travel bridge to Craig Chaquico's days with Starship.All I can say is this album rocks and I always have this album next to me in my car and I NEVER get tired of listening to it.My favorite song from this CD is "Gathering of the Tribes".This is because I found my inner connection listening to that song.When listening to this CD, all my problems and troubles go away.I am in debt to you Craig, for putting a smile on my face when listening to your music......

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