Search - Alex De Grassi :: Pure Alex De Grassi

+ 1/2 stars...A Stellar Guitarist

Steve Vrana | Aurora, NE | 12/29/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Alex de Grassi was with Windham Hill almost from the beginning. His 1978 album TURNING: TURNING BACK was only the fourth release on his cousin Will Ackerman's fledgling label. De Grassi would eventually record six albums for Windham Hill and they are all represented here (although "Clockwork" is taken from 1983's AN EVENING WITH WINDHAM HILL). Perhaps my favorite track is the whimsical "Children's Dance" from his debut.



De Grassi occasionally works with other musicians (like Paul McCandless, oboe, on the bonus track "Gymnpeie"), but the focus is squarely on de Grassi's innovative fingerstyle guitar playing. Even if you own Windham Hill's equally excellent RETROSPECTIVE from 1992, PURE only duplicates six of those tracks. Released as one of a series of collections to commemorate Windham Hill's 30th anniversary, PURE ALEX DE GRASSI is a terrific introduction to this talented guitarist. [Running Time - 61:34] VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"