1 2 3 Fingerstyle Guitar

Andy McKee is one of the world’s finest acoustic guitarists and it’s evident from the accolades he’s received throughout his career. It’s his youthful energy, attention to song structure and melodic content that elevates him above the rest. After nearly a decade without releasing new studio recordings, McKee returns with his six-track EP, Symbol, out Friday, September 17 on Mythmaker Records in conjunction with Cruzen Street Records.

Joel Paterson has been a mainstay of the Chicago roots music scene for over twenty years, playing with many bands and showcasing his unique blend jazz, blues, rockabilly, country and western swing. Joel can be heard on the recordings of the Cactus Blossoms, JD McPherson, Kelly Hogan, Pokey LaFarge, and Deke Dickerson. Wheelhouse Rag is a 14-track collection of original rags and country blues on solo, finger picking acoustic guitar. The all-acoustic, 1920's-tinged Wheelhouse Rag may at first seem like a departure in genre for the guitarist-he is predominantly known for his instrumental multitracked recordings reminiscent of Les Paul and Chet Atkin. These influences can be heard throughout the album, mixed in with many more twists and turns from the mind of the artist, to bring you, Wheelhouse Rag: the original fingerstyle guitar instrumentals of Joel Paterson.

"Prior to this, his debut CD, Clive Carroll would simply pick up his guitar, saunter down to his local pub and play for the regulars. Not much new or exiting there you might think. However, the man has an awesome technique to sit along side his degree in composition from Trinity College, London.
His style is a composite of disparate influences with classical and contemporary strands woven together into a distinctive sound that will prick up the most stoical listener. He has a metronomic right-hand reminiscent of the best classical players but he also draws from many of the Anglo-American finger pickers of the last thirty-odd years. For example, on "Clonlara" he invokes a Martin Simpson feel without any hint of copying.
He pays due tribute to others - Michael Hedges on "Aerial Discoveries" and Nick Drake on "Southbound" and "Promise of Spring" - but the tunes will impress on their own merit even if the listener is unfamiliar with any of the names above.
I remember the downbeat magazine used to run a regular feature where they would invite some star musician to listen to a handful of records and guess the identity of the performers. If Clive Carroll happened to be one of the mystery artists I wouls defy anyone to venture the opinion that this was a debut recording! Such is the level of compositional skill and technique that he sounds like a veteran of the scene.
On the evidence of this CD, this man is a world-class player who cannot be allowed to languish in his local pub or on the periphery of the music business. This really is a major talent with the unfortunate handicap (like others before him) of not having a convenient "file under pop" label to attract the public at large.
The fact that the CD is endorsed by two of the UK's finest exponents of finger-style guitar - John Renbourn and Chris Newman (who also does a great production job) - is no sop. Carroll is a richly talented player and composer who should be applauded for his eclecticism as much as his virtuosity.
If you have the remotest interest in the guitar and you are not knocked out by this man I am happy to exhibit my nether regions in the proximity of Fenwick's frontage!"