Merrily Kissed the Quaker's Wife - Sam Pacetti, Traditional
Sam Pacetti grew up in St. Augustine, Florida. At age 13, he saw Chet Atkins on TV and thought, "Yeah, that's the way guitar should be played." So Sam bought a couple of finger-picks and grew his nails. "I was terrible," h... more »e admits. Fate intervened shortly afterwards in the person of Gamble Rogers, the legendary picker and raconteur from St. Augustine who took the young Pacetti under his wing. After hearing Pacetti play, Rogers asked the high school student if he'd like to get together and pick a little guitar. Pacetti and Rogers met and played weekly for the next year. Tragically, Rogers died while trying to rescue a tourist caught in a rip current at Flagler Beach, Florida. Pacetti played at Rogers' memorial service and still counts Rogers as his most important influence. Tradition and innovation neatly balance in Sam Pacetti's music, the whole infused by a relentless intelligence. Martin Simpson and Merle Travis are touchstones to Pacetti, and while there are strong elements of the Leo Kottke/John Renbourn school of guitar wizardry throughout his work, there is a powerful raw emotionality evident as well - an earthy sensuality more reminiscent of a Greg Brown or a red-dirt blues master than of a musical academic.« less
Sam Pacetti grew up in St. Augustine, Florida. At age 13, he saw Chet Atkins on TV and thought, "Yeah, that's the way guitar should be played." So Sam bought a couple of finger-picks and grew his nails. "I was terrible," he admits. Fate intervened shortly afterwards in the person of Gamble Rogers, the legendary picker and raconteur from St. Augustine who took the young Pacetti under his wing. After hearing Pacetti play, Rogers asked the high school student if he'd like to get together and pick a little guitar. Pacetti and Rogers met and played weekly for the next year. Tragically, Rogers died while trying to rescue a tourist caught in a rip current at Flagler Beach, Florida. Pacetti played at Rogers' memorial service and still counts Rogers as his most important influence. Tradition and innovation neatly balance in Sam Pacetti's music, the whole infused by a relentless intelligence. Martin Simpson and Merle Travis are touchstones to Pacetti, and while there are strong elements of the Leo Kottke/John Renbourn school of guitar wizardry throughout his work, there is a powerful raw emotionality evident as well - an earthy sensuality more reminiscent of a Greg Brown or a red-dirt blues master than of a musical academic.
CD Reviews
Outstanding!
Dustin Georgemiller | Goshen, IN | 05/05/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As a folk and bluegrass DJ in northern Indiana, I am always on the lookout for artists that fall under the radar. Sam Pacetti certainly qualifies. His guitar-work on "Solitary Travel", is exceptional with an Irish flair, and he proves that he has a more than adequate voice to back up his own picking. His high-speed flatpicking instrumental numbers are the best on "Solitary Travel" -- "Brian's Rapier," "Merrily Kissed the Quaker's Wife," and "Triple-Sec" are outstanding, and Pacetti owns up to an obvious influence from Martin Simpson with his version of "Shawnee Town." While it seems he has a local stature in his native Florida, it appears that his following does not necessarily follow him out of the Sunshine State. This is a shame. I would glady list Pacetti in my "Best Folk Musicians Few Have Heard Of" category and would encourage more people to find and peruse his work, so that I may evetually take him OFF of the list."
Live at Cafe Eleven
Dustin Georgemiller | 02/17/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have seen Sam play at Cafe Eleven in St. Augustine Beach and he is AMAZING. Having studied under Gamble Rogers he has taken his God given talent and expanded it to an extrordinary level. While seeming so relaxed, he plays with abandon and it sounds like two or more people are playing. He is a gentle, humble performer who loves to play, and is trying to help others by hosting singer soungwriter nights at the cafe. If you are a guitar player or just a music lover check out Sam and you will not be dissapointed."
Talented Man
Mike Sastra | Upstate | 10/26/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Sam Pacetti has a God given talent. That along with years of practice have enabled him to play a 6 string to it's fullest extent. He reminds me of Leo Kottke and the late Michael Hedges rolled into one. Sam is a excellent performer though very modest in person. He has the ability to amaze you and relax you all at the same time. Anything he plays comes highly recommended for a good reason."
Sam Pacetti
Robert Colosi | St. Marys, GA | 03/17/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This man is the unsung hero of the guitar world. Sam is one of the most "mindful" musicians I have ever met in my life. Period. You have not lived until you hear his music. He touches the heart and will enlighten your existence. Not just with his herculine technical ability, but with his emotional delivery that is easily and most comfortably felt through this entire work. If you're ever in St. Augustine, FL at the Milltop Tavernon Monday nights... you'll be thankful you witnessed him live. Thanks Sam!"