my favorite guitar albums

Andres Segovia. The Legendary Andres Segovia in an All-Bach Program. The Segovia Collection, vol. 1. MCA Records, Inc. 1987.

I read somewhere about someone saying to Segovia: "That's a brilliant piece you're playing. Is that for your upcoming concert?" To which Segovia replied: "No, it's for next year's."

Whether or not it was close to Christmas when that happened, it shows how serious this man is with understanding the music and how to bring it out--which string to play a note on, which notes to stress, to use nails or fingertips and nails when plucking, aside from all the tempo and color changes he applies to even the simplest of passages.

Savor each note as much as Segovia did himself. Watch out for Chaconne, a 14-minute piece with many mood changes. Most people can't imagine how this is only a transcription of a piece for solo violin. Neither can I.

Tuck and Patti. The Best of Tuck and Patti. Windham Hill Records, 1994.

There was a time when you could tell which ones were the best guitarists in my school by asking who could play "Man in the Mirror." This referred to Tuck Andress' solo guitar rendition of the Michael Jackson classic, found in his Reckless Precision album.

But my admiration for Tuck Andress' solo guitar ability is only surpassed by my admiration of him as an accompanist. He and Patti go together like mangga't suman (mangoes and suman)--both bringing out each other's ability and musicianship.

This album is just a sampler. But if I could choose the songs, I'd include their version of "Cantador (Like a Lover)." It's "better than anything...except being in love."

The Pat Metheny Group. Letter From Home. Geffen Records, 1989.

One of the albums I used to play over and over and never got tired of. It's a mood album--each song sweeping you away in a different current of sound and feeling. Of course, you also have to listen to Bright Size Life--Pat Metheny in a trio with the legendary bassist, Jaco Pastorius!

Charlie Byrd. The Charlie Byrd Christmas Album. Concord Records, 1994.

The legendary classical/jazz/blues player, Charlie Byrd, caroling with his nylon-string guitar. A record you can listen to whatever your mood and wherever you are, but especially suited to December dinners with the family.

Juan Silos, Jr. Hating-gabi. Villar Records, year?.

Papa and I bought this tape when there was still a Villar store near Raon in Quiapo. Kundimans on guitar. It's up there with paella and stone cathedrals as one of the benefits of 333 years of Spanish colonization and cultural influence. Makes you wonder what happened to music these days. To think this was on the radio during Papa's time...wow.

This still has the best guitar rendition of the title track that I know of.

Andy McKee. Art of Motion. Candyrat Records, 2005.

One of the recent additions to my short list of guitarists who play with true musicianship and feeling. Andy McKee is one of the artists I just have to tell others about. I hope his popularity and his earnings become almost as big as his genius.