Hurts So Bad
Hurts So Bad is one of my all-time favorite tunes. It was written by Randazzo/Hart and went to the Top 5 in 1965 when it was recorded by Little Anthony and the Imperials. Although it's been covered by numerous artists, the Imperials' version is truly a classic. I've taken some liberties with this arrangement so be sure and check out the original.
Ancestral Bells
Ancestral Bells was composed by Roger Hudson, a talented composer and contributor to Fingerstyle Magazine. I think it was the somewhat melancholy feel and Celtic influence that appealed to me most about this tune.
Cheek To Cheek
Cheek to Cheek was written by Irving Berlin, and first performed by Fred Astaire in the movie Top Hat in 1935. I first heard it while viewing a film called The English Patient (one of my all time favorites!) and the enchanting melody made a lasting impression on me. I never even knew the name of the tune until I heard Chet Atkins perform it on his CD Almost Alone (1996). It ranks among my favorite Atkins arrangements.
Manha de Carnival
Manha de Carnival (A Day in the Life of a Fool) was written by the famous Brazilian guitarist, Luiz Bonfa. It appeared in the soundtrack to an award winning film in 1958 called Black Orpheus and was credited with helping to establish the Bossa Nova movement that became so popular in the 1950s and 60s. This arrangement is by Ed Johnson, a talented writer, arranger and performer in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Tennessee Waltz
The Tennessee Waltz was written by Redd Stewart and Pee Wee King in 1947 and was popularized by Patti Page and by Les Paul and Mary Ford in 1950. This arrangement is by Nashville guitarist, arranger and composer, John Knowles, who certainly breathed new life into a lovely old melody.
Yesterday
Yesterday was written by Paul McCartney and was one of the first songs that I attempted to learn after picking up the guitar as a teenager. Although I didn't get very far with it at the time (probably because the arrangement I had contained the dreaded F chord) I resolved to come back to it. Thirty-five years later, I finally got around to it.
Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring
Jesu from Cantata 147 was written by Johann Sebastian Bach and is arguably one of the most memorable melodies in the classical genre. Bach's music has always had a potent effect on me and I think it's particularly well suited to the guitar.
Blues in A
Blues in A is just something the came together over time. I've always enjoyed listening and playing the blues and when I first started using nylon string guitars, I thought I'd have to leave the genre behind. Fortunately for me, I think I've found a way to make it work on plastic strings.
Laguna Sand
Laguna Sand was written by Doyle Dykes, one of the most talented fingerstyle players around. I think this tune has one of the most lush melodies I've ever heard.
Wicked Game
Wicked Game was written by Chris Isaac and appeared on his Heart Shaped World album in 1989. It became a hit after it was used in the soundtrack to David Lynch's film Wild At Heart. I wanted to do an arrangement of it because I think it's an extremely evocative melody.