If someone as awesome as Steve Vai describes watching someone play for the first time and being “stunned to silence”, you know there is something special going on. And Tommy Emmanuel is the man for the job. Not only is he not of this planet from a technical point of view, he also turns out to be a stellar entertainer and a really funny guy.
Should you not know who Emmanuel is (hey, I was only introduced to him a couple of years ago), this man is a phenomenon on nylon and steel stringed guitars, preferably from fellow Aussies Maton. And not only that, sometimes he is a one man band, providing percussive sounds and bass along his chords and melodies. And on top of that, he sings as well. How can we not be impressed by this man’s capabilities? And now we’re at it, his rhythmic prowess matches that of his guitar playing.
So I dare you to watch this DVD and not be impressed. Whether it are the 11 tracks taken from various performances in the US or the 5 bonus tracks, prepare to be blown away. Not only by dazzling technique, but also by wit and feel. Alone, or with friends, the man is born to play and perform. And in his own words, still trying to become good at it. Humbling!