category: instrumental country / gospel

Album review:
"Guitarist Todd Hallawell is a great player in the tradition of Chet Atkins. Part of his eminent reputation amongst guitarists is due to his association with the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society. Classically trained, Hallawell has also studied with such greats as classical guitar composer John Duarte. He is the winner of the 1997 National Fingerpicking Guitar Championship. On this outing he engages in a series of collaborations with prominent writers for guitar such as Howard Emerson and Mark Casstevens, the latter who wrote "All Thumbs," was recorded by Atkins. The version found on this CD invokes genteel inflections of the master himself as Hallawell lays down a not-a-care-in-the-world stroll through this lovely composition. Bassist Darrell Muller, who accompanies Hallawell on most of these tracks, deserves a shout out for his delightfully understated performance on this piece. Guitarists seeking a bit of a woodshed challenge may also want to check out Casstevens' "Gladrags" here.

The CD leads off with the Hallawell-penned "Windy Bill" which showcases his astonishingly fluid style. The elocution, the execution, and the inherent musicality of this artist's work becomes immediately apparent. Many of the figures found in his work are relatively common in pop and country traditions, but they are heard here as if completely fresh and unencumbered by earthbound fretting and pick attack. In short, he makes the competition sound clumsy. "Undersea," a Roger Hudson tune that the two collaborate on is possessed of an elegiac, richly complex harmonic palette with the faintest of Methany overtones. "Slide Fest," another duet with a co-composer (in this case Dorian Michael) notably lives up to its name. It is immediately followed by another Michael song, "10/8," that is simply beautiful. Hallewell is a player's player, and he makes that puppy sing. He is a devotee of McCollum, Lowden, and Chris Jenkins guitars. With a seemingly effortless dexterity, he articulates notes as such, without the artifacts of effort. He's definitely a deacon in the Church of Chet." -- Steve Klingaman, Minor7th.com

CD Track Listing

All selections adapted / arranged by Todd Hallawell except where noted

  1. WINDY BILL (Todd Hallawell) (2:56)
  2. GLADRAGS (Mark Casstevens) (2:45)
  3. STEEPLECHASE LANE * (J.R.Hubbard) (3:52)
  4. AND WHY NOT? (Howard Emerson) (2:19)
  5. UNDERSEA (Roger Hudson) (3:38)
  6. SLIDE FEST (Michael / Hallawell ) (4:24)
  7. 10/8 (Dorian Michael) (Dorian Michael) (4:07)
  8. HELITROPE BOUQUET (Joplin / Chauvin) (4:27)
  9. RIALTO RIPPLES (Gershwin / Donaldson) (3:13)
10. ALL THUMBS (Mark Casstevens) (3:22)
11. FROM NASHVILLE & BACK (Todd Hallawell ) (4:24)
12. BECAUSE WE CAN! (AND WHY NOT? reprise) (Howard Emerson) (3:43)

  * adapted by Todd Hallawell from an arr. by Jerry Reed / Chet Atkins

w/Dorian Michael - guitar duet - track 6, 7, 11
w/Roger Hudson - guitar duet - track 5, 9
w/Chris Sexton - violin - tracks 3
w/Pete Huttlinger - guitar - track 12
w/Bruce - mandolin - track 12
w/Charles Arthur - dobro - track 12

Total timing: 43:15

Label/No: Soundset 1022

Release date: 2005