category: instrumental ragtime / jazz / country / easy listening

Album review:
"Guy Van Duser is a musical marvel.... an "eighth wonder" on six strings. A musician can be competent as a "technician" and lack feeling and expression, and, alternatively they can play with limited skill and boundless enthusiasm. Guy combines unmatched technical guitar skill with an equally unmatched artistic flair. I am reminded of the scene in the film "Amadeus" where another musical genius, Mozart, is told by the Emperor Joseph that his latest composition has "too many notes" and some should be removed. Mozart asks "which notes" the Emperor has in mind. Listening to Guy Van Duser would probably fluster a musical midget like the former Emperor - Guy plays notes with bell-like clarity and blistering speed in fabulous and meticulous arrangements that nearly overwhelm the ear.

This CD is crammed with examples, but if you want to hook someone on GVD with a single tune - play them the live recording of Guy's arrangement of "Stars and Stripes Forever" - initially you think "cool... listen to that - I never really thought of a Sousa march as a solo guitar piece". Then, you listen a bit longer and you think "wow... listen to that - he got the trombones too".... then a bit longer your jaw drops as you realize he's playing, at the same time, the trombones.... the whole damn orchestra... AND that bouncy piccolo part - all at the same time. Did he suddenly sprout extra hands?! How the devil does he DO that? Do yourself a favor and listen to this album. You and Guy Van Duser's will never be separated for long after that."

CD Track Listing

  1. Chattanooga Choo Choo (Gordon / Warren; arr. G.Van Duser) (2:00)
  2. As Time Goes By (Herman Hupfeld; arr. G.Van Duser) (1:32)
  3. Sweet Georgia Brown (Bernie / Casey / Pinkard; arr. G.Van Duser) (2:28)
  4. Great Western TV Medley (trad. arr. G.Van Duser) (6:47)
  5. That Certain Feeling (George & Ira Gerswhin; arr. G.Van Duser) (3:13)
  6. Black Beauty (E.K.Ellington; arr. G.Van Duser) (3:18)
  7. Alligator Crawl (Thomas Waller; arr. G.Van Duser) (2:33)
  8. Viper's Drag (Thomas Waller; arr. G.Van Duser) (3:21)
  9. Stars Fell On Alabama (Perkins / Parrish; arr. G.Van Duser) (4:00)
10. Miss Brown To You (Rainger / Robin / Whiting; arr. G.Van Duser) (3:20)
11. I Can't Give You Anything But Love (Fields / McHugh) / Goody-Goody (Malneck / Mercer) (arr. G.Van Duser) (2:42)
12. Never Gonna Dance (Kern / Fields; arr. G.Van Duser) (3:06)
13. The Syncopated Clock (Leroy Anderson; arr. G.Van Duser) (3:03)
14. On Treasure Island (Burke / Leslie; arr. G.Van Duser) (2:59)
15. Little Girl Blue (Rodgers / Hart; arr. Van Duser / Collins) (4:18)
16. Avalon (Johnson / DeSilva / Rose; arr. G.Van Duser) (2:40)
17. Elmira (Guy Van Duser) (2:29)
18. Duke Ellington Medley: I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart ~ I Got It Bad ~ I'm Beginning To See the Light ~ Sophisticated Lady ~ Rockin' in Rhythm (Ellington; arr. G.Van Duser) (9:33)
19. The Stars & Stripes Forever (John Philip Sousa; arr. G.Van Duser) (3:46)

Total timing: 68:21

Label/No: Rounder Records 11533

Release date: 1987