Tommy Emmanuel may be the best guitarist on the planet today, and arguably one of the greatest ever, at least when it comes to acoustic playing. Outlandish praise, you say? Only if you've never heard him: though clearly inspired by Chet Atkins, he has virtuoso chops that beggar those of the late Nashville legend; in fact, among acoustic players, Leo Kottke and perhaps Michael Hedges might come to mind, but Emmanuel is far more versatile. His full arsenal is on display in this 16-song 2005 concert (recorded in his native Australia and presented here with superb DTS 5.1 sound), and it is dazzling. Adept at both finger- and flatpicking, Emmanuel plays with jaw-dropping speed on his own "Tall Fiddler" and Merle Travis' "Cannonball Rag"; shows off his mastery of harmonics on a gorgeous version of "Over the Rainbow" (where his use of arpeggios makes the instrument sound uncannily like a harp) and chord substitutions on "Heartbreak Hotel"; and plays the blues brilliantly on another Travis tune, "That's All." Emmanuel is also a genial, low-key showman, and his simple love of being onstage is obvious and infectious. The several vocal tunes (including a four-song interlude featuring his fiancée, American singer-songwriter Elizabeth Watkins) are pleasant, but in the end, this show is all about Tommy Emmanuel's astonishing guitar playing, and for that alone it is highly recommended. Aud: P. (S. Graham)
Tommy Emmanuel—Live at Her Majesty's Theatre
(2005) 80 min. DVD: $16.98. Favored Nations Acoustic (avail. from most distributors). Color cover. Volume 21, Issue 5
Tommy Emmanuel—Live at Her Majesty's Theatre
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