House of Guitars

In my musically pedestrian opinion, this sparse guitar music is mostly sublime, a few clunkers.

Already known for his beautiful tone and phrasing, Ed Gerhard obtains super guitarist status by drawing out some of the loveliest sounds from beat up old instruments in this, his newest album. Even after hearing a few cuts from this album, you will never again blame a musical instrument if you're unable to get it to sound just right.The novelty aside, Gerhard's original compositions and arrangements of well known and traditional pieces are gorgeous. It was listening to his arrangment of The Water is Wide (from an earlier album: Counting the Ways -- which I also highly recommnend) that inspired me to start seriously playing again after a hiatus of several years. To me, that says a lot.He may not dazzle with the sheer technical brilliance of say, a Leo Kottke (or any number of the more contemporary string slammers), but Ed Gerhard more than makes up for it by making every note, every phrase and nuance count. As a result, you will want to listen this album over and over again.

Pandora plays one song off of this CD; it is the only good song in the album. I'm sorry I bought it.

This is my first Ed Gerhard. I was intrigued when the review said it was all done on cheap pawn shop guitars, without even string changes. It took a few listens to hear his style and phrasings and I was (am) impressed. It has been in my rotation since receiving it a couple of weeks ago and I am looking forward to purchasing more from this artist.

VERY GOOD CD!

Beautifulul....

There are players out there who play more notes and faster licks than Ed Gerhard, but none who say more with less. There is a unique concept behind the House of Guitars album - using cheap pawn shop instruments without even changing the old strings. That unusual concept is quickly forgotten, however, in the sheer beauty of the music. Each note has obviously been carefully selected for the mood it creates within the phrasing, and that attention to detail pays off in an album that can be listened to again and again. Gerhard has included an eclectic mix of tunes ranging from the blues to popular standards and original compositions. This is one CD that's always in my player, and one of which I've yet to grow tired.

If you like good, honest acoustic guitar music, particularly of the fingerstyle variety, this is one of the best releases of 2001.Gerhard's concept in ''House of Guitars'' was to use old, cheap pawnshop guitars (beaten-up Harmony's, a plastic Macaferri, etc.), such as many of us aging boomers first learned on, and to see if these old boxes had any ''old stories'' in them-- and he found some great ones.Gerhard mixes three beautiful, haunting originals with compelling arrangements of some traditionals ("Poor Wayfaring Stranger" is done particularly well) and covers of McCartneys "I Will" and "Junk," Blind Willie Nelson's "I Just Can't Keep from Crying Sometimes" (featuring some great slide), and the sweet & slow love song, "Let It Be Me."Gerhard shuns fast/flashy pyrotechnics and focuses more on the beauty of the melody and the 'story' of the song. In his originals (particularly "Promised Land" and "Because of You, This"), Gerhard reaffirms his credentials as a composer, and not just another player.But all tracks are beautifully and impeccably delivered by this masterful storyteller. Highly recommended.

I have to say, after hearing Ed Gerhard on one of the Acoustic guitar highlights albums, I was eagerly looking forward to receiving this CD. Wow, what a disappointment! There's no denying Ed's talent on the guitar but I found the whole album dull, uninspiring and lack lustre. However, that's just my opinion. If you want something to send you to sleep, this is a great album. Also, too mush lap steel guitar for me. Don't like the instrument much.More in my taste is the Doug Smith collection or Wooden Horses by Juber or the fantastic Chris Procter collection.

Pour tout ceux qui aime ce virtuose de la guitare, cet album un parmi l'un de ces meilleurs !

地味です。派手さは全くありません。しかし、その演奏には、人柄、人格、真心が溢れています。油断していると、涙腺が緩みます。彼が目の前にいて、自分に語り掛けているような錯覚。僕の好きなギタリストであり、好きなアルバムです。