Conferring With the Moon: Pieces for Guitar

Track Listings

1. Conferring With the Moon

2. Improv 2

3. Lago de Montañas (Mountain Lake)

4. Big Thing in the Sky (For Jess)

5. Climbing in Geometry

6. Last Day at the Beach

7. Singing Crocodile

8. Processional

9. Shape of the Land

10. Garage Planet

11. Conferring With the Moon (Solo)

Conferring With the Moon: Pieces for Guitar,Will Ackerman,Windham Hill Records,Adult Alternative,Chamber Jazz,Jazz Music,New Age / Meditation,Solo Instrumental

Tracks:

Conferring With The Moon
Improv
Lago De Montanoas (Mountain Lake)
Big Thing In The Sky (For Jess)
Climbing In Geometry
The Last Day On The Beach
Singing Crocodile
Processional
Shape Of The Land
Garage Planet
Conferring With The Moon (Solo)

Customer Reviews:

New moon.......2007-06-04

Someone gave me a tape of this album about 20 years ago. I still play it regularly, but tapes have a finite life. And of course, you can find just about anything on Amazon.
Why do I still love this album? There is a deep peace about it that recentres me every time I listen to it.

Not like his early stuff.......2006-10-17

If you like the more recent albums by guitarist William Ackerman, which are melodic, quiet, moody, cerebral, and relaxing, then you'll like this album too. If you are like me, however, and you enjoyed his early albums more - e.g., "In Search of Turtle's Navel," which is lively, emotional, and moving - then you will be disappointed. Ackerman is still a master artist, evolving in his craft, so I do not wish to take anything away from him. It's just a matter of taste.

Will Ackerman's Masterpiece.......2004-12-22

Will Ackerman started the Windham Hill label in 1976, essentially to self-release some albums of "new age" guitar pieces he wrote (Ackerman detested any reference to "new age"). Much to his (and anyone else's) amazement, these early albums started selling beyond anyone's expectation. Soon Will signed other like-minded new age artists to his label, and before he knew what hit him, the Windham Hill label took off like a rocket. Being the label's CEO didn't stop Will from recording new music himself. And so on the 10th anniversary of the label, Will issued what would turn out to be his very best album ever.

"Conferring With the Moon" (1986, 11 tracks, 53 min.) continues the musical growth heard on the previous 2 albums, 1981's "Passage" and 1983's "Past Light". On "Conferring" it all come together just perfectly. On the title track, in which he is accompanied by piano, you can just "hear" Will talking to the moon. "Improv" is 'back-to-roots' Ackerman solo work. "Lago de Montanoas" finds Will accompanied by the pan-flute, you can just feel the "Inca-spirit" in your room! Other highlights include "Processional", "Shape of the Land" and the sweeping "Last Day on the Beach", with a great violin solo over Will's guitar work.

Will Ackerman has issued only 10 albums in his 28 year career to date (2001's "Hearing Voices" being the most recent). "Conferring With the Moon" stands the test of time, and is in my opinion his best work ever. Highly recommended! (Please note that the original vinyl album was replaced by CD in 1990, which in turn was reissued in a remastered version in 1998 that sounds miles better than the 1990 release.)

Seeking Answers - Making Music.......2004-09-12

Will Ackerman takes some pains in his liner notes to explain that much of this album is focused on love. Especially the hard side of love - questionings, misunderstandings, disappointments, and longing. As such, much of the music has a tenderness and depth that is surprising, even for Ackerman's music. The title song is a classic on this theme - a brilliant trio pitching high and low sonorities while Ackerman's guitar work bridges the two.

All of the work on this album is a logical progression from Past Light. Ackerman has become deeply interested in the possibilities of the small (duet and trio) ensemble, as well as some of the potential for electronic manipulation. Thus, Big Thing In The Sky features layered guitar playing and as well as using the oboe as a melodic voice. And Lago De Montanoas uses the primitive flute to establish a South American rhythm.

For all these complications, I still love Ackerman's solo work the best. He has a unique touch and a willingness to forgo pure technical brilliant and focus on emotional context instead. Like the work in Improv, and the solo version of Conferring With The Moon. But regardless of your preferences this is an exceptional album, one that gives great legitimacy to Ackerman as much more than a 'new age' musician, a title he abhorred. Seek this album out, it is full of remarkable moments.

Timeless..........2004-07-06

William Ackerman is one of my all time favorite artists! "Conferring with moon" is a perfect CD for those evenings when one can settle into the quiet of the night and relax from the day to day struggles of life... and find a measure of peace.

Taking off where "Past Light" left off... William continues to allow other instruments take the lead voice within the structure of his songs. This is not a bad thing but those hard core Ackerman fans will miss his melodic finger-style voicings of his earlier recordings. My only complaint is that the guitar sounds rather thin... but as Ackerman's current recordings show this is now a 'moot' point.

All in all... "Conferring with the moon" is a perfect companion to a wonderful evening of relaxation and is a wonderful recording from a wonderful artist! It is timeless...

Conferring with the Moon: Pieces for Guitar
Average customer rating:

One of the most lovely, simple, moving pieces ever

Conferring with the Moon: Pieces for Guitar
Will Ackerman
Manufacturer: Windham Hill Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
General | New Age | Styles | Music
Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music
Solo Instrumental | New Age | Styles | Music
Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Hearing Voices

Sound of Wind Driven Rain

A Windham Hill Retrospective

In Search of the Turtle's Navel

Taproot

ASIN: B000000NGN
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Conferring With The Moon
Improv
Lago De Montanoas (Mountain Lake)
Big Thing In The Sky (For Jess)
Climbing In Geometry
The Last Day On The Beach
Singing Crocodile
Processional
Shape Of The Land
Garage Planet
Conferring With The Moon (Solo)

Customer Reviews:

One of the most lovely, simple, moving pieces ever.......1998-05-02

I play this when I am sad or lost and lonely because it makes sadness easier. I don't know what was in the mind of Mr Ackerman when he wrote this, but it is wonderful and everyone shoule hear it. Thank you for letting me sing it's praises

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