The Only Guitar Album You'll Ever Need

It is true that classical guitar playing attracts only a limited range of people, but even if you only mildly enjoy or are the slightest bit interested in hearing works by famous guitar composers such as Rodrigo, Villa-Lobos or even Bach, then "The Only Guitar Album You'll Ever Need" won't fail to please you.

I was content to see that the majority of the most famous guitar pieces were included here; including 'Concierto de Aranjeuz' (if only the second movement) and 'Cavatina' (this time played by Simon Dinnegan); as even if you already have these hits on your shelf, it is surprising and refreshing to see how incredibly different they can sound in the hands of the various artists and conductors presented here. The works are played by a range of different guitarists; including Bream, Williams and Dinnegan; and it is breathtaking to hear John Williams and Julian Bream battle it out in Falla's 'Spanish Dance No. 1' (from La Vida Breve).

I don't have any criticisms of the collection put together on this two-hour plus double CD, or the quality of the recordings. Realistically with all the guitar material available it is not hard to put together an album of classical guitar successes- 'Miller's Dance' by Falla leaves the listener energised whilst Rodrigo's 'Concierto de Aranjeuz' will leave you deeply moved. It is satisfying to say that the collection offers a good concoction of material with a broad spectrum of guitar pieces.

Still, if you aren't stirred at the sound of the words 'Concierto de Aranjeuz,' and have little interest in guitar playing of the classical kind, maybe this isn't the CD for you.