A new name for me in the guitar circuit, but certainly one to remember. Memory & Praise is an album with 6 pieces written by the legendary 17th century blind Irish harp player Turlough O' Carolan and rearranged by Alec Stone Sweet. 2 Appalachian fiddle tunes are also included at this album together with some Irish traditional songs. Alec Stone Sweet plays very intimate with deep emotional aspects and with full dedication in a lovely peaceful ambiance. Alec Stone Sweet plays in altered tunings to play the beautiful Irish moods at its best. Most tunes are played in a soothing and absorbing atmosphere as he paints his music. Ducks on The Pond/The Frosty Morning is played in a claw-hammer banjo style. Also some Irish dance tunes are played as the memorable An Phis Fluich, or, the Choice Wife. Personally I find Alec Stone Sweet Stone at his best in songs like in compositions like Manx Lullaby/ O'Carolan 's Welcome, The Rights of Man, Shady Grove/Salt Water and the intriguing Mabel Kelly. At the same time Alec Stone Sweet released his album Tumbling Gap which all are played with the claw-hammer technique which is mostly used on a banjo but now on steel-string guitar. All tracks are written again in altered tuning . The guitar music is less intimate due to the fast banjo technique used, but still are very pleasing in a cheerful atmosphere. Exceptions are Itzikel and Chasing the Moon which express a passionate feeling. Most other tunes invite to dance on the typical Irish reels.

Highly Recommended

Henk te Veldhuis, Bridge Guitar Reviews

Tumblin' Gap

Guitar Fingerstyle

Alex de Grassi:

Water Garden

Wayne Johnson:

One Guitar