Tommy Emmanuel

http://www.tommyemmanuel.com/

MIM: Legendary “finger-style” guitarist Tommy Emmanuel is one of Australia’s most respected musicians and winner of two ARIA awards (Australia’s answer to the Grammy). His unique finger-picking technique is a masterful mix of dazzling melodic invention and rhythmic percussive effects that have attracted hundreds of thousands of loyal fans worldwide.

In this job, I frequently marvel at what I didn’t-know-I-didn’t-know. The Tommy Emmanuel show was a perfect example of my ignorance. I had never heard of Tommy but was quickly overwhelmed by his sea of fans. The show was sold out and many of the guest were frequently Tommy followers and ardent fans. I enjoyed watching the crowd throughout the show most of all.

Tommy was a showman and wowed the crowd both with stories and with his guitar playing. His repertoire was varied – from bluegrass to jazz to country – and he displayed a new style of guitar playing that incorporated both rhythm and melody in one instrument.

Tommy also had an opening act – Chase Foster, a young musician who was equally engaging and fun. He played many favorites and it was easy to sing or clap along with him. In some ways, I enjoyed Chase more as his music was more approachable and his youth so likeable. Very good opening act!

Old Blind Dogs

www.oldblinddogs.co.uk

MIM: Since forming in the early 1990s, the Old Blind Dogs have stood on the cutting edge of Scotland’s root revival.  Dynamic percussion, polished vocals, soaring fiddle, and stirring pipes fuel the band’s energetic trademark style.

Unfortunately, the drummer for Old Blind Dogs was unable to fly to America due to a family emergency.  At the end of the show, we realized we had hardly missed him.  The three other members of the band were extremely solid and played so well together that the show was highly enjoyable.

The Scottish melodies were hypnotizing and soothing, fun and joyous, familiar and welcome.  I was fascinated by the Scottish bagpipe, played with an arm bellow.  Since I’ve heard so much Irish music, this was an interesting contrast with similar themes and styles.  I thoroughly enjoyed this show – one of my favorites.