Acoustic guitarist Tommy Emmanuel is one of the most energetically swinging six stringers around. I’ve seen him in settings ranging from solo to duets with jazzer Martin Taylor and he’s a delight in every setting. Emmanuel creates his own settings with a Whitman’s Sampler of duets and collaborations ranging form the likes of Ricky Sgaggs, Jerry Douglas, Frank Vignola, Dave Grisman and Mark Knopfler.
The sparks fly all throughout this inspired collection of summit meetings. A bluegrass version of “Purple Haze” with Douglas on the dobro is an absolute hootenanny while Grisman brings his Hot Dawg of a mandolin for a gypsy caravan of “Watson Blues.” Jazzers Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo take Emmanuel to the Hot Club of France for a toe tapping “Djangology” whereas Emmanuel’s strings twang with delight as Jason Isbell sings on the fun “Deep River Blues.” Mark Knopfler shows there is a rich life beyond Dire Straights as he sits on the back porch with Tommy on a relaxed and homespun “You Don’t Want To Get You One Of Those,” picking and singing on a rocking chair, whereas Pat Bergeson whips out the 10 hole Seydel Silver Diatonic and wails on “Saturday Night Shuffle.” If Emmanuel goes on the road with any of these cats within 100 miles of where you live, hop into your truck and head on out. Finger pickin’ good. WHEW!