Dan Crary & Lonnie Hoppers and Their American Band

Amazon.com
These days, with so many bluegrass outfits offering polished performances of songs by "professional" writers, it's refreshing to hear a plain old, unpretentious, old-school bluegrass album. Such is the case with this labor of love by flatpicking guitar standout Dan Crary and banjo man Lonnie Hoppers, a former Bill Monroe sideman. The playing here is loose and lively and the whole album has a charismatic light-hearted vibe. The repertoire balances bluegrass staples with a pair of gospel songs and a few welcome honky-tonk numbers, including Merle Haggard's "Good Old American Guest" and Hank Williams's "Lonesome Whistle." Although the vocal performances leave a bit to be desired, Crary's crafty hot licks, Hoppers's sprite banjo work, and fine support from their American band more than atone. --Marc Greilsamer

Dan Crary & Lonnie Hoppers and Their American Band,Dan Crary & Lonnie Hoppers,Pinecastle,Bluegrass,Country,Pop,Progressive Bluegrass,Traditional Bluegrass

Average customer rating: Men of Steel is Fantastic

Live: The Art of the Steel-String Guitar Men of Steel Manufacturer: Thunderation Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Folk | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Folk | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music World Dance | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Similar Items: Singing Sands Synergia Ceol More Thunderation Holiday Guitar ASIN: B0001XALKU Release Date: 2004-04-13

Tracks:

1. Intro
2. L'Orient Est Grand
3. Intro
4. Loaded, Leather, Moonroof
5. Intro
6. Bagpipe Tunes For Guitar
7. O'Carolan's Quarrel with the Landlady
8. The Titanic
9. Intro
10. In Flagrante
11. Intro
12. Reel de la Sauvagine
13. Intro
14. On The Road With Mama
15. Long Journey Home
16. Risky Bizz

Album Description

Their music is as diverse as their cultures...from the Mediterranean, Canada, Scotland, and the United States, four artists of the steel-string guitar create a spellbinding acoustic journey into a world of Celtic, Blues, Jazz, Folk, Traditional, and original music of the world. This CD is an exhilarating interplay of solos, duos, trios, quartets...a powerful new experience in Acoustic Guitar Ensembles.

Customer Reviews:

Men of Steel is Fantastic.......2004-07-06

This is a MUST have for any acoustic guitarist's collection. With Beppe Gambetta, Tony McManus, Dan Crary and Don Ross, there's something on this CD for everyone. I can't stop playing it! It's a live recording and you can really feel their energy. I highly recommend this one. Some good ol' flatpickin, some of Beppe's cool style, some DADGAD from Tony and fingerstyle blues from Don and that awesome giant Dan Crary's magic 12-string work are what you'll get with plenty of soulful playing. Gotta love it!!

Average customer rating: Pure Gorgeous Guitar An Acoustic Guitarists Listening Masterpiece

Thunderation Dan Crary Manufacturer: Sugarhill [Country] ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music General | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music Bluegrass | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Live: The Art of the Steel-String Guitar Holiday Guitar Bluegrass Guitar Jammed If I Do Guitar ASIN: B000000EY2 Release Date: 1993-03-16

Tracks:

1. Banderilla
2. Depoe Bay
3. West O' The Moon
4. Amsterdance
5. Song Of Makoraka-O
6. Thunderation
7. Lady's Fantasy
8. Lime Rock
9. Andante In Steel
10. Denoument

Customer Reviews:

Pure Gorgeous Guitar.......2006-02-17

An amazing album from a consistently amazing player, Thunderation is Dan on 6 and 12 string guitar, with some subtle help from Billy Oskay on violin/viola and synthesizer, Cam Newton on 12 string guitar, and Gregg Williams on midi percussion. The music has a quiet urgency, great as background AND as something to really pay attention to. Mr. Crary is a master, and this is some really beautiful music. He composed most of the tracks, and the ones he didn't are traditional, save for Amsterdance which was composed by Cam. All instrumental, all rich, all amazing. The music is kind of folky, new-agey, but with at times an almost stately...19th-century-clavier-kind-of-feel.

An Acoustic Guitarists Listening Masterpiece.......2002-01-21

This was my first CD by Dan Crary and I was a little skeptical when I was considering ordering it. After having it only 3 days, it has by far and away become my favorite acoustic guitar music. Dan Crary is a master at both the 6 and 12 sting guitar delivering a mastery of music perfect for that time when you want that "laid back" mood or relaxing in front of a roaring fire.

My only regret is that I can only give this CD only 5 Stars.

Average customer rating: Dan Is Rather Special Flatpicking Master Wails on 30 year-old Iconic Recording Cosmic hillbilly jazz pickin' party!

Bluegrass Guitar Dan Crary Manufacturer: Sugarhill [Country] ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music General | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music Bluegrass | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Guitar 33 Acoustic Guitar Instrumentals Not Too Far from the Tree Jammed If I Do Lady's Fancy ASIN: B000000F2K Release Date: 1993-10-22

Tracks:

1. Cross the Big Sandy
2. Reuben
3. The Dusty Miller
4. Devil's Dream
5. Blackberry Blossom
6. Salt Creek
7. Black Mountain Rag
8. Sweet Sunny South
9. Monroe's Hornpipe
10. Forked Deer
11. Gold Rush
12. Fishin' Creek Blues

Customer Reviews:

Dan Is Rather Special.......2005-11-17

"Bluegrass Guitar" is another one of those recordings that can only be labelled "Special". The tracks provide a journey into the realm of the super picker and are a bluegrass maven's delight.I should say that any lover of fine acoustic music will be mightily impressed by Dan Crary and his "Bluegrass Guitar."

Flatpicking Master Wails on 30 year-old Iconic Recording.......2004-02-06

Before I wanted to play like Bryan Sutton and Chris Thile I wanted to play like Tony Rice. Before THAT we ALL wanted to play like Dan Crary. His playing from this era (I think this recording is late 60s or early 70s) was fast and fluid and innovative and, frankly, this recording is pretty much only limited by his supporting cast. I remember listening to the vinyl of this 30 years ago and wishing the banjo and fiddle breaks would end so that Deacon Dan would come back in wailing with those big, lightning-fast solos. He also, rightly, prided himself on his ability to put an artistic nuanced touch to pieces that were less up-tempo. Dan Crary turned heads playing this music the way contemporary Jimi Hendrix did playing electric guitar.

The "Devil's Dream" cut became so well-known that a shop in Japan named itself "The Devil's Dream" because of it, and Mr. Crary revisited that work on his later album "Lady's Fancy" (featuring musical giants like Sam Bush and Vince Gill).

At the time of this recording there were only a few giants of flatpicked steel string guitar in this field: Doc Watson, Clarence White, Norman Blake and Dan Crary.

For Flatpickers, this is "flatpicking 101".

Cosmic hillbilly jazz pickin' party!.......2000-04-15

This is an incredible album of instrumental bluegrass. Mr. Crary picks some of the smoothest, fasted guitar runs that I have ever heard. Great guitar/banjo interchange and pulsating acoustic bass. Try this one on the highway or with your mornin' coffee.

Average customer rating: Great Great Great a guitar player's (or a fan's) paradise for the ears

Jammed If I Do Dan Crary Manufacturer: Sugarhill [Country] ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music General | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music Bluegrass | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Guitar Lady's Fancy Bluegrass Guitar Holiday Guitar Thunderation ASIN: B000000F3H Release Date: 1994-05-24

Tracks:

1. St. Anne's Reel
2. B & B Rag
3. Conversation With Doc Watson
4. Whistlin' Rufus/Ragtime Annie
5. Banjo Signal
6. Conversation With Tony Rice
7. Cattle In The Cane
8. Twin Reel
9. Conversation With Beppe Gambetta
10. Foggy Mountain Special
11. Tribute To Don Reno: Remington Ride/Home Sweet Home/Green Mountain Hop/Follow The Leader
12. Conversation With Norman Blake
13. Uncle Herman's Hornpipe
14. Irish Tune Suite: Port Mhuineachain/Nora Crionna/Garrai Na Bhfeileoig/Old Hag...
15. Durang's Hornpipe

Customer Reviews:

Great Great Great.......2001-05-11

If you enjoy acoustic-based music you won't do any better than this cd...Dan Crary, a legend himself, brings other legends in and presents some of the best music (in any genre) I have ever heard. That's the deal. Thanks Dan, this record will be a joy for years to come. Can't wait to see you live someday.

a guitar player's (or a fan's) paradise for the ears.......1998-12-21

This album features several of the most proficient aficianodos of the flatpicking guitar style in the world. Dan Crary is considered one of the founders of this type of guitar picking, most popularized in bluegrass music. However, as Dan, Doc Watson, Norman Blake, Tony Rice, and Beppe Gambetta demonstrate, flatpick guitar is not exclusive to bluegrass. Uncle Herman's and Durang's Hornpipes have a seafaring lilt, and Foggy Mountain Special is pretty jazzy stuff. The Byron Berline composition B&B Rag is one of the tightest acoustic arrangements I've ever heard. And the unique arrangement of St. Anne's Reel demonstrates Dan's virtuosity. If you like the guitar, you can't go wrong with this one.

Average customer rating: A Superior Acoustic Guitarist The tightest and most energized flatpicking jam album.

Guitar Dan Crary Manufacturer: Sugarhill [Country] ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music General | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music Bluegrass | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Bluegrass Guitar Jammed If I Do Lady's Fancy 58957: The Bluegrass Guitar Collection Ready to Go ASIN: B000000EZ4 Release Date: 1993-03-16

Tracks:

1. Cotton Patch Rag
2. Stanley Brothers Medley: Fling Ding/Hard Times/Daybreak In Dixie
3. Sweet Laree
4. Memories Of Mozart: From Mozart's Piano Sonata #11 in A, Third Movement: Rondo 'Alla Turka'
5. The Green In The Blue Medley: The Strayaway Child/An Druimfhionn Donn Dilis/McCahill's Reel
6. Tom & Jerry
7. Bill Monroe Medley: Get Up John/The Gold Rush/Roanoke
8. Sally Ann
9. The Blackbird
10. Foggy Mountain Special

Customer Reviews:

A Superior Acoustic Guitarist.......2002-08-30

Although this is not a "new" CD, Dan Crary demonistrates his acoustic guitar mastery in all of his music. This music is is so good, even people that don't normally listen to this kind of music will love it.

Several months ago, I got to see Dan Crary in person at a "clenic" that was sponsored by Taylor Guitars. He performed a couple of songs from this CD. It was amazing to watch him play. It's hard to believe that a persons fingers can move that fast with such grace.

Am I hooked on Dan Crary? You bet I am.

The tightest and most energized flatpicking jam album........1999-01-06

This album is by far my favorite of all the albums I have heard that could fit into the bluegrass/slamgrass/dawg/flatpicking/acoustic jamming genre. Dan is definitely at his best on this album, and he shows off all of his amazing speed and clarity at flatpicking, cross-picking and kicking out those unique Dan Crary licks. But don't be deceived, this album is not just about guitar - almost every track lets Bela Fleck, Sam Bush, Mark O'Connor and others get their licks in too. From Crary's incredible "Memories Of Mozart", a thoroughly jammed out flatpicking version of a classical piece, to the best rendition of "Foggy Mountain Special" I've ever heard, this album could definitely be described as completely energized and just plain invigorating to listen to. I highly recommend it for anyone who appreciates the finest acoustic musical talent.

Average customer rating: Frolicking fun-filled bluegrass that is full of hog, hominy, pumpkin & red gravy

Grey Cat on the Tennessee Farm Peter Feldmann & The Pea Patch Quintet Manufacturer: Hen Cackle Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Folk | Styles | Music ASIN: B000CAKT5E Release Date: 2005-03-08

Tracks:

1. Intro
2. Old Plank Road
3. Jordan Is a Hard Road
4. Take Me Home Poor Julia
5. Rabbit in the Pea Patch
6. Roll Down the Line
7. I'm Goin' Back to Dixie
8. Grey Cat
9. Bull Moose
10. John Henry
11. Kiss
12. Johnny Gray
13. Rye Straw
14. King David
15. Rise Whe the Rooster Crows
16. Deer Chase
17. Forked Deer
18. Sail Away Ladies
19. Outro

Customer Reviews:

Frolicking fun-filled bluegrass that is full of hog, hominy, pumpkin & red gravy.......2007-01-18

Playing Time - 46:48 -- The first major star of WSM's Grand Ole Opry, Uncle Dave Macon (1870-1952) "The Dixie Dewdrop" (from Smart Station, Tennessee) once introduced "Coming Around the Mountain" by asking, `Well, Buddy, How you feeling? Feeling Right. Well, if you ain't right, git right, and let your conscience be your guide. Because I'm going to play with more hetergeneous, constopolitan, double flavor and unknown quality than usual. Make it light on yourself." With a similar mindset and sure to get you smiling, Peter Feldmann & the Pea Patch Quintet's album is a strong bluegrass tribute to the old-time songs of Uncle Davy. Bluegrassers should take note of how well these kinds of songs adapt to the genre. Rather than some half-baked folk revivalist effort, the songs were conceptually arranged with bluegrass instrumentation, in fact a few banjos, as well as a variety of vocal stackings. I'm sure Uncle Dave would be proud of the "little hot runs on the banjo" (some with touches of harmony), along with all the other fine musicianship here.

There's also plenty of quaint advice on the CD too. In "Jordan is a Hard Road to Travel," for example, "I don't know but I believe I'm right, the autos ruined the country, let's get back to the horse and buggy, and try to save some money." Not such a bad idea, I'd say, especially if you live in So. Cal.! One of the spoken narratives from Uncle Dave's own commentaries declares, "King David and King Solomon lived merry, merry lives for they had many many wives, but when old age overtook them, they became very calm, King Solomon wrote the proverbs and David wrote the Psalms."

Hot dog, buddy let's go! Whether singing about rabbits, dogs, deer, moose, cats, kittens, cattle, horses, hogs, sheep, ducks, geese or roosters, Feldmann has a genial barnyard manner. He also plays his Everett Kettler mandolin or clawhammer banjo (on "Deer Chase") with cool confidence and composure. Inspired by that "Rabbit in the Pea Patch" [eating all day], the accomplished quintet includes Dan Crary (guitar), Bill Bryson (bass), Wayne Shrubsall (clawhammer banjo), Dennis Caplinger (5-string and 6-string banjo) and Byron Berline (fiddle). Bryson even plays some clawhammer gourd banjo too on the intro and outro that open and close the project. Even though some of the musicians were not initially that familiar with Uncle Dave's music, they took right to it as if they were from "the land of hog and hominy, pumpkin and possum, and where whiskey is made out of corn, and women don't smell like talcum powder." Who would've thunk that these guys are from California? Actually Feldmann was born and raised in Switzerland and didn't emigrate to the U.S. until after World War II. His love for old-time and bluegrass music was cultivated as a radio show producer, record label manager and bluegrass performer (with The Very Lonesome Boys).

Feldmann's goal was to capture some of the excitement that Uncle Dave produced in his 1927 New York session with his band, The Fruit Jar Drinkers. There are solo, duo, trio and quartet vocals, as well as a couple old-time fiddle tunes (Rye Straw, Forked Deer). Peter and the Pea Patch Quintet energetically recorded as a group with little overdubbing or multiple takes. Or are they known as the "Grey Cat Quintete" as spelled out on the back of the CD? Song-by-song musician credits are not in the CD jacket, but you can find them on-line. To help preserve Uncle Dave's music, I'd also recommend that Peter upload the lyrics he sings, especially for novelty tongue-twisters like "Deer Chase." I wonder how much the folkloric process has resulted in alteration of Macon's original lyrics over the years.

You can tell that these guys had a frolicking, fun-filled, festive time making this earthy album. They keep the offerings up-tempo, and the down-home ambiance fits the songs like a glove. While the vocal range required of a song like "Johnny Gray" challenges Peter a tad, it's nearly impossible to listen to romping songs like "Roll Down the Line" or "Old Plank Road" or "Take Me Home Poor Julia" without tapping toes or singing along. While many have similar tempos and joyous sentiments, the former is probably one of my favorites because it has plenty of shared instrumental breaks and quartet singing. With 14 songs and 5 brief narrative commentaries, the CD re-creates a set of music as Uncle Dave might've played it.

In the early-1920, Macon was over 50 years old when the advent of trucking forced him into a career change from mule-drawn freight delivery to entertainment. He claimed to know nothing about the "scientifical parts of music," but he could certainly play. Macon made nearly 200 recordings, and Feldmann & Co. barely scratch the surface of his repertoire. While they concentrate on those best adapted to bluegrass, it would've been nice to include more from his gospel (e.g. "Just One Way to the Pearly Gates"), blues (e.g. "Keep My Skillet Good and Greasy"), and novelty (e.g. "She's Got the Money, Too") favorites. Perhaps a second volume is forthcoming. We can only hope. A portion of the album sales goes to the Macon Family to help preserve his Murfreesboro, Tn. gravesite. If you miss hog, hominy, pumpkin and red gravy, then I'm sure that Uncle Peter Feldmann (a kind of Uncle Davy reincarnated) would love to sell you a copy of this album. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

Average customer rating: One of the best flat-pickers ever Dan is "The Man" on this recording Dan Crary - Lady's Fancy

Lady's Fancy Dan Crary Manufacturer: Rounder Select ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Rounder Records | Specialty Stores | Music General | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music Bluegrass | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Jammed If I Do Bluegrass Guitar Guitar 58957: The Bluegrass Guitar Collection 33 Acoustic Guitar Instrumentals ASIN: B0000002DU Release Date: 1994-10-18

Tracks:

1. Huckleberry Hornpipe
2. Lime Rock
3. If The Devil Dreamed About Playing Flamenco With A Flatpick
4. Jenny's Waltz
5. Sally Good'n
6. Julie's Reel
7. Dill Pickle Rag
8. Pretty Little Indian
9. Grey Eagle
10. Lady's Fancy

Customer Reviews:

One of the best flat-pickers ever.......2007-02-18

Dan Crary does the utterly impossible. He is truly above most others in his genre. I have always liked Lady's Fancy best of all his collections for its flow and variation.

Dan is "The Man" on this recording.......2004-02-06

I would disagree with the other reviewer who wrote that this CD elevated Crary to the ranks of the flatpicking elite. His previous recording "Bluegrass Guitar" (with "The Devil's Dream" among others) and his work on the Bluegrass Alliance's album (including some of the most famous flatpicking work ever recorded with his versions of "Beaumont Rag" and "Free-Born Man") had already allowed Mr. Crary to make a mark in the flatpicking world that has not been overshadowed since.

This recording is both exciting and beautiful and his companions are all giants - recorded back in the early 70s. Half of the cuts include the original New Grass Alliance with Sam Bush while the other half include essentially the "Sundance" band from California with Byron Berline and Vince Gill among them.

"If the Devil Dreamed...." is a flamenco-flatpicking solo virtuoso performance, but all the other recordings include hot work from his "guest stars". The titular "Lady's Fancy" ends the recording with a fluorish - starting with another flamenco-flavored introduction, then building to a full-tilt bluegrass boogie jam. Serious flatpickers have been studying (and loving!) this recording for more than 20 years.

Frankly, this is one of the landmark flatpicking albums of all time.

Dan Crary - Lady's Fancy.......2000-09-26

This is the recording that elevated Dan into the ranks of the flatpicking guitar elite. The touch, tone, and execution, are all lessons on "how it is done". Check out "Huckleberry Hornpipe" and "Jenny's Waltz". Besides all of the lessons one can learn here, it is simply a pleasure to listen to.

Average customer rating: Outstanding! simply the best

Renaissance of the Steel String Guitar Dan Crary Manufacturer: Thunderation Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Traditional | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Similar Items: Live: The Art of the Steel-String Guitar Synergia Jammed If I Do Blu Di Genova Holiday Guitar ASIN: B0001XALKK Release Date: 2004-04-13

Tracks:

1. Senso Unico
2. In Flagrante
3. Druimfhionn Donn Dilis/Toss the Feathers
4. Banderilla
5. Lobelia Blue
6. Hot Pursuit
7. Cape Foulweather
8. Reedie's Blues
9. Rusticity
10. Fermoy Lasses/The Man of the House
11. Jig Is Up
12. E Lucevan le Stella
13. On the Fritz

Album Description

For years audiences have told Dan Crary that they appreciate the stories he tells in concerts, stories about the guitar, stories about how the steel-string guitar rose to become the world's most popular instrument, and stories about the guitar heroes who showed the world what it could do.

Renaissance of the Steel String Guitar will take you on an instrumental journey into the past and recent history of the instrument, with performances of the music that has punctuated its rise. The CD includes a very special 16-page insert filled with stories of the "beer-stains-and-bullet-holes" history of the guitar! The kind of historic and fascinating stories that Dan Crary fans have been enjoying for years.

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding!.......2005-03-18

Dan Crary has once again surpassed even his own self with this CD, "Renaissance of the Steel String Guitar." It is some of the finest guitar music that I have in my collection, and I have MANY guitar records. I would reccommend it to not only guitar players, but anyone who loves just plain beautiful music.

simply the best.......2004-08-25

This album has not only kept up with the mastery of the guitar that Dan Crary is known for, I think it has surpassed it. This is one of the most beautiful albums I've ever heard--eclectic, historical, and progressive all at once. The guy is simply one of the best in the world and in this CD he is not only successful in his attempt to revive or have a "Renaissance of the Steel String Guitar," he also provides one of the most interesting inserts about the history of the guitar in America that I've ever come across. Buy this CD, you'll play it over and over again.

Average customer rating: Wow, that's good! Enough to Soften the Grinch Fine Christmas instrumentals A Superior Artist! PLAY IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN, DAN!

Holiday Guitar Dan Crary Manufacturer: Sugarhill [Country] ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Pop Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Traditional | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Pop Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Similar Items: Live: The Art of the Steel-String Guitar Winter Guitar Jammed If I Do Snowed In With A Mandolin On Christmas Day Thunderation ASIN: B000000F5W Release Date: 1997-10-14

Tracks:

1. Carol Of The Bells
2. Christmas Waltz/Fum, Fum, Fum
3. Silver Bells
4. God Rest Ye Merrie, Gentlemen/Joy To The World
5. O Holy Night
6. Masters In This Hall
7. Christmas Blues A' Comin'
8. The Little Drummer Boy
9. Silent Night
10. What Child Is This
11. The Coventry Carol/Patapan
12. Santa, Baby
13. The Last Noel
14. Jesu Bambino/The First Noel

Customer Reviews:

Wow, that's good!.......2007-07-06

I first heard this cd playing overhead in the Barnes and Noble. It stopped me in my tracks, and after I listened for awhile, I got one and took it home. Excellent, excellent picking. Fast, crisp, clear, musically interesting, and playable all year round, IMHO, it's just that good. Did I mention I like it? Guitar player's delight!

Enough to Soften the Grinch.......2004-01-01

I don't usually like Christmas music....but when I opened this one as a gift and noticed it was produced by Sugar Hill I knew I was in for a treat! Now I think I'll be listening to it year round and checking out Crary's other recordings right now. The playing and interpretation is so good I often forget these are mostly familiar Christmas songs. I like the blues original the most, but even the tradtionals are fresh and beautifully played (varying through flatpicked old English, classical, bluegrass, and blues styles). Nice backup musicianship as well when Crary is not doing an excellent job playing his solo Taylor guitar.

Fine Christmas instrumentals.......2003-12-03

Excellent interpretations of traditional music and some originals mixed in for a fine guitar based album. The CD is good enough for me to want take a look at Crary's other works.

A Superior Artist!.......2002-01-22

Although I didn't get this CD until after Christmas, it is a CD that you'll want to listen to at any time of the year. Dan Crary's excellent guitar technique, style and presentation ranks him at the very top of my listening list.

If you're a fan of acoustic guitar music, his mastery of both the 6 and 12 string will truly amaze you. The excellent tonation of the guitars he plays and done on Taylor guitars. A star in their own name.

PLAY IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN, DAN!.......2002-01-06

I heard this CD at a friends house and couldn't wait to order it for myself. It is my new holiday favorite and we haven't put it away, even though Christmas has come and gone. We continue to listen while taping our toes and marveling at the creative arrangements of well-known tunes. I'm an instant Dan fan!

Average customer rating: Power-Picking from one of today's masters

Take a Step over Dan Crary Manufacturer: Sugarhill [Country] ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Country | Styles | Music General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music General | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music Bluegrass | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B000000F0M Release Date: 1993-10-19

Tracks:

1. Bugle Call Rag
2. Take A Step Over
3. Great Tunes/Dumb Names Medley: Flop-Eared Mule/Done Gone/Crazy Creek
4. Raleigh And Spencer
5. Come Hither
6. Willie, The Wandering Gypsy
7. Hot Canary
8. Traditional Suite In 'E' Medley: Fishin' Creek Blues/The Blackbird/Turkey In The Straw...
9. Lord Build Me A Cabin

Customer Reviews:

Power-Picking from one of today's masters.......1998-08-03

Dan Crary, best known for his work with Berline, Crary & Hickman, is one of the cleanest power-pickers on today's scene, along with Tony Rice. The vocals are OK, especially if you like baritone voices (he often plays a special long-necked Taylor that is tuned lower for his vocal range) but that's not why he's in demand in studios. Like Doc Watson, his showpieces are fiddle tunes transposed to guitar. "Bugle Call Rag" and his medleys are played with dazzling speed and his trademark power runs - no tentative notes, just the pure confident hard licks at hand-blurring speed that won the national flat-picking championship. The last track, "Build me a cabin" is probably the best vocal on the album, a slower gospel number that lets your heart rate return to normal...

Music Album:

1. Delicious
2. Dixon Brothers, Vol. 3: 1937-1938
3. Drama Falls Like Teardrops [Import]
4. Dry Clothes for the Drowning
5. Early Hits of "The Tennessee Plowboy"
6. Early Starday-King Years 1958-1961
7. Electricity
8. Every Time Two Fools Collide: The Best of Kenny Rogers & Dottie West
9. Far Away, Down on a Georgia Farm
10. Fargo Country

Music Album