Guitar Meditations

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Sometimes, two forces are less than the sum of their parts. Take this meeting between guitar wizard Billy McLaughlin and ambient composer Soulfood, a.k.a. DJ Free, a.k.a. Gordy Schaeffer. On his own recordings, McLaughlin evinces a whiplash brand of fingerpicking, employing all the two-handed techniques of the post-Michael Hedges acoustic guitarist. Soulfood has created some evocative, ethno-techno-inspired CDs, including Breathe and Wingmakers. But lately, he's become generic, creating albums that are designed to fill a market niche with titles like Tranquility and now Guitar Meditations.

Rather than enhancing McLaughlin, who draws in the reigns considerably for some fragile melodies, Soulfood tends to smother him, laying in environmental sounds and pedestrian synth string pads. It's always a relief when said synths drop out, as they do on "Dream Sketcher" and "Drift." It's like someone turning off the air conditioning: suddenly, you can hear the detail of the world around you. Despite McLaughlin's fretwork, Guitar Meditations is trapped in a clichéd marketing concept. --John Diliberto

Guitar Meditations,Soulfood & Billy McLaughlin,Soulfood Music,Contemporary Instrumental,New Age,New Age / Meditation,Pop

Guitar Meditations

Guitar Meditations

Si ji (Four Seasons)
Average customer rating:

Successful crossing over from East to West

One of the best solo guitar albums I have ever heard

Virtuoso playing and an unusual repetoire

Si ji (Four Seasons)

Manufacturer: Gsp Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
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Romance de Amor

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A Jug of Wine and Thou

ASIN: B000AXWHEY
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

Wang Huiran: Yi Dance
He Luting: Shepherd Boy with Flute
Dietmar Ungerrank: Intonation & 4 Sound-and-Image Compositions - Intonation
Dietmar Ungerrank: Intonation & 4 Sound-and-Image Compositions - Long Out-stretched Pier with its Shadows
Dietmar Ungerrank: Intonation & 4 Sound-and-Image Compositions - Wind on The Hill
Dietmar Ungerrank: Intonation & 4 Sound-and-Image Compositions - Waiting for Guests
Dietmar Ungerrank: Intonation & 4 Sound-and-Image Compositions - Land Circus
Traditional - Heavenly Bird
Tradional - Lantern Song
Traditional - Mayila
Evan Hirschelman: Meditation No.2
Evan Hirshelman: Meditation No.1
Stephen Goss: The Blue Kite
Stephen Goss: Yellow Earth
Stephen Goss: Farewell My Concubine
Carlo Domeniconi: I Ching - 1 T'ai
Carlo Domeniconi: I Ching - 3 Lin
Carlo Domeniconi: I Ching - 4 T'ung len
Carlo Domeniconi: I Ching - 5 Huan
Carlo Domeniconi: I Ching - 6 K'uei
Carlo Domeniconi: I Ching - 7 Chieh
Stephen Funk Pearson: South China Sea Peace
Thierry Rougier: Four Seasons - Spring
Thierry Rougier: Four Seasons - Summer
Thierry Rougier: Four Seasons - Autumn
Thierry Rougier: Four Seasons - Winter

Customer Reviews:

Successful crossing over from East to West.......2007-07-06

Nowadays many classical musicians move to 'cross-overs' between Western classics to exotic works, and Chinese musicians and composers pioneer in cross-overs from Chinese music to Western.
Alas, not all attempts are successful. Either there has not been enough nurturing in the Chinese repertoire, or the western playing style has not yet been fully developed.
Ms. Yang is a young classical guitarist. Gathering from what she said in her own introduction to this disc, she is a musician with a great ambition. It is true that the classical guitar may not have a substantial repertoire as other western instruments like the violin and piano. Hence drawing materials from other culture in a guitarist's repertoire is both a necessity and an endeavour.
A guitarist from Beijing, Ms. Yang is familiar with classical Chinese instruments like the gu qin, the zheng and the pipa. These ancient Chinese instruments are like the guitar- all are played by plucking strings set on wooden surfaces. So as Ms Yang herself noted - the guitar originated from the Middle East, a 'cross-over' area of Eastern and Western culture.
In many of the modern works recorded in this disc, Ms Yang played the guitar to the effect of those ancient Chinese instruments, and this is quite stunning. Her familiarity with the Eastern musical style is fully demonstrated, adding the requisite flavour of authenticity to her interpretation. There are a number of great compositions of the gu qing, the zheng as well as the pipa, and I truly look forward to Ms Yang's transcriptions of those to the guitar in due course.
A highly recommended recording for guitar players, guitar lovers and Chinese music fans alike.

One of the best solo guitar albums I have ever heard.......2006-10-06

One of the most original CDs I've ever heard. This CD is full of incredible music. Yang XueFei plays with sensitivity, creativity and passion.
When I played this CD for my guitar teacher, he commented that it was rare for him not to have heard at least one piece on any particular classical guitar CD, yet all these pieces were new to him. Carlo Domeniconi (who wrote the masterpiece "Koyunbaba") has composed an outstanding suite based on the I Ching. The 3 pieces by Stephen Goss, which are based on Asian films, are themselves cinematic: "The Blue Kite" is a work of minimalist beauty. There are many other talented composers lending their gifts to this CD. Most of the selections are either composed for Yang Xuefei or are arrangements by her. All are inspired by Chinese culture and music. My favorite piece is "Long Outstretched Pier with its Shadow" (by Dietmar Ungerrank); it is elegantly written and the execution is sensual and rich.
Yang XueFei's technical agility, especially the right hand, (as in "Yi Dance") goes beyond that of her contemporaries. As impressive as this is, the passion she imbues into each work is what connects her to the songs and ultimately to the audience. Technique is there to help her express what is inside of her. It is as if the guitar is her lover. This just isn't a great guitar album; it is a great album period. Its emotional complexity deepens with each listening. Buy it!
I've also purchased "Romance de Amor" which is extremely good as well (listen to her version of "Requerdos de la Alhambra" as compared to one of her heroes, John Williams on "The Guitarist"), but "Si Ji" is totally unique. Don't miss it.
As an aside, If you do end up buying and enjoying this CD, you might listen to Lily Afshar. The influence of her Persian heritage is similar in effect to "Si Ji" by Yang XueFei. Both artists have breathed life into the modern repertoire of guitar music.

Virtuoso playing and an unusual repetoire.......2005-10-26

I am a classical guitar student, and an over-the-top consumer. So I have a lot (many dozens) of classical guitar CDs. They are for the most part quite good, but they tend to blend. I might be able to distinguish Tennant's Rodrigo or Barrueco's Scarlatti, but too many guitarists play an awful lot of the same repetoire, and they play it quite similarly.

This CD is quite different. The pieces are all Asian in flavor and by composers I had never heard of. And they are quite beautiful. Ms. Yang appears to be quite young, so this could be the start of a long and interesting career. But at least one of the pieces was written for her, so she has already apparently developed a solid reputation.

Average customer rating:

DON'T GET THIS FROM AMAZON!!!!!
Bounty of Flute's Best From One of Best Flutist
A Masterpiece
The Master of the Flute
lotsa flute

James Galway ~ Meditations
Jules Massenet , George Frideric Handel , Johann Sebastian Bach , Tomaso Albinoni , Giovanni Pergolesi , Baldassare Galuppi , Johann Pachelbel , Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach , Romano Antonio Piacentino , Antonio Vivaldi , Claude Debussy , John [composer] Field , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Franz Schubert , Joaquin Rodrigo , Sergey Rachmaninov , Fryderyk Chopin , Christoph Willibald Gluck , John Georgiadis , James Galway , Jorg Faerber , Claudio Scimone , Claudio Schimone , David Measham , Michael Tilson Thomas , Eduardo Mata , and Charles Gerhardt
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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The Very Best of James Galway
The Wind Beneath My Wings
James Galway - Dances for Flute
My Magic Flute
Song of Home

ASIN: B000006OP0
Release Date: 1998-05-19

Tracks:

Adagio
'Winter' Concerto In F Minor: ll Largo - The Four Seasons
Largo: Xerxes
Flute Concerto In C, BWV 1032: ll Largo E Doice
Pastoral Symphony: Messiah
Flute Concerto In G: ll Adagio
Flute Concerto In D, Op 10 No 3 'll Cardellino': ll Cantabile
Flute Concerto In D: ll Adagio
'Spring' Concerto In E, Op 8 No 1: ll Largo - The Four Seasons
Canon
Flute Concerto In F, Op 10 No 5: ll Largo E Cantabile
Flute Concerto In A, Wq168: ll Largo Con Sordini
Flute Concerto In G: ll Andante
Flute Concerto In G, Wq169: ll Largo
Flute Concerto In G Minor, Op 10 No 2 'La Note': V Largo 'll Sonno'
Flute Concerto In D Minor, Wq 426: ll Un Poco Andante

Tracks:

Meditation - Thais
The Little Shepard
Nocturne No 5 In B Flat
ll Andantino
Serenade, D957
Fantasia Para Un Gentilhombre
Prelude A L' Apres-midi d'un Faune
En Bateau
Vocalise
Nocturne In E Flat, Op 9 No 2
Andante In C, K315
Syrinx
Orfeo ed Euridice: Dance Of The Blessed Spirits

Customer Reviews:

DON'T GET THIS FROM AMAZON!!!!!.......2005-11-04

Ok people. I ordered this from Oct. 13 and NOw it's Nov. 3. I still didnt' get it. They told me it's gonna be delayed until the 14... I'm rating this only a one star not because SIR James Galway isn't a great flutist, but it's Amazon's crappy service and lack of interest.

Bounty of Flute's Best From One of Best Flutist.......2005-02-17

Being married to a flutist allows me to hear some of the greatest works written for this beautiful instrument. Here one of its greatest virtuosos records his favorites from its reportoire.

Gallway performs superb renditions of 29 of his favorites, from Albinoni and Bach to Vivaldi. Much of what he plays most are already familiar with but will enjoy his passionate interpretation even then, e.g. CPE Bach's Flute Concertos and Vivaldi's four seasons selections. The fun comes from hearing other that some might not be that familiar with: Galuppi's Flute Concerto in D or Field's Nocturne in B Flat.

These are all enhanced by Gallway's personal notes on each selection, which is truly a wonderful addition to the liner notes.

This two CD set is truly a wonderful addition to all who love the sweet and flowing tone of flute well played accompanied by excellent orchestration and other instruments. Top shelf!

A Masterpiece.......2003-02-08

I am a college student and I am majoring in music education. My primary instrument is the flute, and my goal is to attain all of the pieces that I have studied. By buying this CD with many different selections has saved me the aggravation of purchasing many different CDs. James Galway is an extremely talented man, and this collection shows off his capabilities with flare. There are selections from all of the major musical periods such as the Baroque and the Classical which makes for a wonderful variety. This CD is worth every penny.

The Master of the Flute.......2001-01-18

James Galway performs miracles on the flute. This is an exquisite CD. Flautist must own this one!! It is a wonderful resource and helpful to young musicians needing some musicality help.

lotsa flute.......2000-09-09

you really have to love flute music to have 2+ hours, I didn't realize it was ALL flute.

Average customer rating:

A great gift from sonic heaven
The sum of the parts really works here

Guitar Meditations
Soulfood & Billy McLaughlin
Manufacturer: Soulfood Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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Guitar Meditations, Vol. 2
Fingerdance
Acoustic Original: The Best of Billy McLaughlin
Mystic Canyons
Sunset Meditation

ASIN: B00005Q47D
Release Date: 2001-09-04

Tracks:

The White Bear
Into The Blue, Out Of The Blue
Dream Sketcher
The Pond
South by Winterwest
Lullaby
Drift
Patsy's Etude
Inhale Pink
Duncan's Lullaby
Into The Blue, Out Of The Blue (Part II)

Amazon.com

Sometimes, two forces are less than the sum of their parts. Take this meeting between guitar wizard Billy McLaughlin and ambient composer Soulfood, a.k.a. DJ Free, a.k.a. Gordy Schaeffer. On his own recordings, McLaughlin evinces a whiplash brand of fingerpicking, employing all the two-handed techniques of the post-Michael Hedges acoustic guitarist. Soulfood has created some evocative, ethno-techno-inspired CDs, including Breathe and Wingmakers. But lately, he's become generic, creating albums that are designed to fill a market niche with titles like Tranquility and now Guitar Meditations.

Rather than enhancing McLaughlin, who draws in the reigns considerably for some fragile melodies, Soulfood tends to smother him, laying in environmental sounds and pedestrian synth string pads. It's always a relief when said synths drop out, as they do on "Dream Sketcher" and "Drift." It's like someone turning off the air conditioning: suddenly, you can hear the detail of the world around you. Despite McLaughlin's fretwork, Guitar Meditations is trapped in a clichéd marketing concept. --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews:

A great gift from sonic heaven.......2003-11-16

This recording really transcends all types of categorized music and speaks completely for itself. Billy McLaughlin is probably the world's best kept secret. This CD will relax and entertain you anytime you want. I have listened to this disc to fall asleep about fifty times, and I still get goosebumps when I listen to the way McLaughlin works those alternate tunings and two handed techniques. I think it is one of the finest CDs I own.

The sum of the parts really works here.......2002-01-25

Wow, I totally disagree with the review written by John Dilberto for this CD!!! Yes, the guitar work by Billy McLaughlin is really stunning, as usual. The accompanying music by Soulfood is not obtrusive or "smothering" to me at all. I like the combination of the meditative electronic stylings of DJ Free, which really match the guitar work very well. Combining the two different styles enhances each. True, you do not get just fingerstyle guitar work here, but that is the point. If you want just pure guitar music then get Billy McLaughlin's excellent, chart-topping CD "Fingerdance". This CD grew out of a meeting between Soulfood and Billy McLaughlin back in 1997 on Soulfood's web radio program "Earth Beat". From that meeting and performance the two decided to collaborate on "Guitar Meditations", and create something oriented towards contemplation and relaxation. To get a good idea of the feel of the music try the last cut "Into the Blue, Out of the Blue part 2". This will give you an idea of how the electronic soundscapes fuse with the guitar. Really, this is a wonderfully and very fine, relaxing, yet interesting CD. There has been no "smothering".

Average customer rating:

Last Album Before Billy was Struck By Debilitating Disease

Guitar Meditations, Vol. 2
Soulfood , and Billy McLaughlin
Manufacturer: Soulfood Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ambient | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music

Healing | New Age | Styles | Music

Relaxation | New Age | Styles | Music
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Guitar Meditations
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Sunset Meditation

ASIN: B0009K7RE8
Release Date: 2005-06-14

Tracks:

Into The Light
Looking For The Good
Endless World
East To West
Sunshine
Madre
Polar
You're All Grown Up Now
The Pond (Pt II)
Sad Little Girl
Tres Casitas
Her Eyes

Album Description

The follow-up to the bestselling, critically acclaimed Guitar Meditations! Another acoustic meditation masterpiece with Billy McLaughlin's multidimensional guitar and Soulfood's rich soundscapes and lush keyboards. Acclaimed finger-style guitarist Dan Schwartz and Emmy-winning guitarist Ron Cohen round out the ensemble to create music that speaks to the heart!

Customer Reviews:

Last Album Before Billy was Struck By Debilitating Disease.......2006-03-24

This is the last solo album Billy recorded before being diganosed with Focal Dystonia, a mysterious disease which crippled his left hand and took him out of solo performing for 5 years.

You can hear a sample of "Into the Light" on his website and learn more about his disease and imminent one-handed comeback concert (April 7-8, 2006 in Minnesota).

This instrumental CD will evoke emotion - guaranteed. It will relax and move you as Billy and a former student of his paint one incredible picture after another. Sure to be a favorite of any McLaughlin fan.

Average customer rating:

Sbass Music
Scott Petito
Manufacturer: Hudson Valley
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

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Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00006JSOY
Release Date: 2002-09-03

Tracks:

Afternoon in a Cloud
Beautifully Fearfully Made
The Gates of Heat
Distance Is
Liquid Paper
Sbass Music
The Zero Crossing
The Last Reflection
Communication in the Presence of Noise

Album Description

Sbass Music, (pronounced "space music"),is a unique recording of ambient music performed solely on electric bass guitars. The electric bass and the electronic manipulations on this recording create a wide sonic palette that extends from deep sonorous sounds, to French horn-like melodies, to sparkling harmonics and chords, beautifully expanding the range and timbre usually associated with this instrument.

Average customer rating:

Guitar Meditations

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000JINZ
Release Date: 1999-07-20

Tracks:

Suite Venezolana: I Registro (Preludio)
La Catedral: I Preludio
La Catedral: II Andante religioso
La Catedral: III Allegro solemne
Una limosna por el amor de Dios
Julia florida
Wind Color Vector: I Leeward
Wind Color Vector: II Calm
Wind Color Vector: III Windward
Two Little Pieces: 1. Canticle
Two Little Pieces: 2. Noel
Twelve Etudes: 1. Etude de arpeges
Twelve Etudes: 8. Modere
Incantation No. 7 'Donegal'
Incantation No. 6
Incantatin No. 3 'Hommage To Stanley Myers'
Capricho arabe
Recuerdos de la Alhambra
Platero Y Yo: I Platero
Platero Y Yo: II El loco
Duos temas populares cubanos: 1. Cancioin de cuna (Cradle Song)
Duos temas populares cubanos: 2. Ojos brujos (Enchanter's Eyes)
Milonga
Sarabande
Cavatina

Of Light & Silence Meditations for Solo Guitar

Average customer rating:

Of Light & Silence Meditations for Solo Guitar

Manufacturer: Time Space Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CA6UJS
Release Date: 2004-10-12

Meditations, Vol. 2: B & B Yoga and Music

Average customer rating:

Beautiful Visualizations and Meditations

Meditations, Vol. 2: B & B Yoga and Music
Bill Webb
Manufacturer: B & B Yoga and Music LLC
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CA7UKQ
Release Date: 2005-04-19

Tracks:

Point of Light - Bill Webb
Smooth Stone - Bill Webb
Journey of Flight - Bill Webb
Best Friend - Bill Webb
Inner Journey - Beth Webb
Deep Relaxation - Beth Webb
Breath Mantra - Lola McClane
Animal Guide - Naomi McDonald
Inner Peace - Naomi McDonald

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful Visualizations and Meditations.......2006-06-13

This is a CD with nine 5-7 minute meditations. They're wonderful, short sessions that you can use throughout your day. iTunes carry them if you want to try one, but I would highly recommend the whole CD since they are all very unique. The short visualizations take you to tropical beaches, soring with birds, and interacting with animals. There are several different people presenting and the background music is very soothing and not too overpowering. I love these short vacations from my regular hectic day and I have all of them loaded on my iPod! Simply beautiful!

Average customer rating:

Must Have CD - Bold Living on the Edge Style
Great guitarist
Read Between the Licks

Read Between the Lines
Charlie Read
Manufacturer: CAR-Tunes
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0006V4D42
Release Date: 2004-12-01

Tracks:

Why, I Oughta . . .
Circle's End
Splash Rag
Kentucky Summer
In the Out Door
You're the One
Wayfaring Stranger
Odyssey
Then and Now
Trail of Tears
With God All Things Are Possible

Album Description

An electric guitar tapestry that is woven around themes of classic rock, meditative `new age' solos, and touches of jazz/rock fusion - "read between the lines" surprisingly but skillfully combines these styles into a unified whole. West Virginia guitarist Charlie Read, a veteran of the explosive Ohio rock scene of the early 70s, felt " . . . it was about time to contribute my own musical two cents' worth." And that's just what he has done. The album's intro 'Why, I Oughta . . .' cascades forth a blistering barrage of distorted harmonic minor notes accompanied by a simple but unusual harmony bass line. But after this initial, tongue-in-cheek attack on the senses, the listener is drawn into one tune after another in a diverse mixture that defies simplistic categorization - though always honoring strong melodic values sadly lacking on many modern instrumental albums. 'Splash Rag', a quirky little piece built around pentatonic, blues, and whole-tone scales, was written almost 25 years ago - while other tunes like 'Circle's End' and 'Then and Now' were completed just weeks before the 2004 recording sessions. And Emmylou Harris' version of 'Wayfaring Stranger' certainly never sounded like this! Charlie's influences (Hendrix, Clapton, Keaggy, Satriani, etc.) shine through in his debut all-instrumental guitar CD. No need to "read between the lines" though - the musical joy and artistry are plain to hear.

Customer Reviews:

Must Have CD - Bold Living on the Edge Style.......2007-03-12

Charlie Read's CD definitely has a leading edge that keeps me interested in where his finger styling will lead next.

His brassy living on the edge style reminds me of vintage Lee Ritenaur. Charlie combines his authentic sound with an artistic creative feel like that of Earl Klugh in his ability to push the boundaries.

This CD presents Charlie as an incredibly talented musician who possesses a variety of styles. This is reflected in the diversity of the selections and reflects creativity (all but one were created by Charlie) as well as skill (the skill required for these selections will become obvious once you listen to the CD)!

Favorite songs include:

With God All Things Are Possible
In moments of this instrumental it's almost as if you can hear spoken words from the sounds of the guitar!

Trail of Tears
This is somewhat haunting - has a very interesting feel

Then and Now
The jazz/bluesy section of this piece is amazing and fun!

I'm looking forward to his next offering with great expectations and we can only hope that this will be soon!

Great guitarist.......2005-01-26

I bought this CD and just love the variety of styles on these great instrumentals. Charlie Read is a very accomplished musician! The more you hear the songs on this CD, the better you like them!

Read Between the Licks.......2004-12-28

I got this CD from one of Charlie's former students in Ohio - put it on, and was frankly blown away. First, it's cool that Charlie plays a Deluxe American Strat just like mine; too bad I can't play like him. All the songs on this CD are ones he's written except his arrangement of "Wayfaring Stanger" which happens to be a very moving rendition with lots of energy. The thing I like the most is that this guitarist doesn't play the typical 2000-notes-per-second stuff. Not that I mind that style in small doses, but let's face it - the music that sticks to your ribs needs more than hotshot riffing non stop. There's a lot of variety on this CD which might alienate someone looking for one flavor. Not me; the variety is what intrigued me from the first listen. There's some fast, flashy guitar playing on here; but the emphasis seems to be on good melodic songs which happen to feature electric guitar rather than a vocalist. All the songs are instrumental, so you can imagine your own lyrics as you listen, if you're so inclined. I really like "Then and Now" which starts with a bluesy feel and ends up with some surprising and tasteful changes. It's my favorite, followed by "With God All Things Are Possible." I was humming along with this one the first time I heard it, and the incredible acoustic interlude is like icing on the cake. Like I say, if you're totally into blues, or shredding, or fingerpicking - to the exclusion of everything else - this may not be your favorite. But if you don't like being bored, and if you like tasteful electric guitar by the truckload, "read between the lines" is a great guitar album for all ages and tastes. Oh yeah - killer tone too.