Concert Reviews

This page will contain Concert Reviews of various guitar and musical shows 

in the local and regional areas of the Carolinas and the Southeast.

 Richard Smith -- Concert Reviews
by Ray Mills

   I saw Richard Smith perform last night (1/27/15).  He is amazing!  In the first half he included some Jerry Reed songs so during intermission I asked him what the chance was of him playing The Claw.  Then I asked him if he ever listens to any Charlie Byrd music.   

   In the second half of the show he tore into The Claw and added so much extra stuff that I almost felt as if I was listening to Lenny Breau.  Later, he played a rendition of Cheek To Cheek that was a dead ringer for Charlie Byrd.  He also played a Merle Travis song and even a classical piano piece by Chopin, all on acoustic guitar.  I don't think there is anything he can't play!

   Go hear him.  You will be glad you did.

 GUITARIST RICHARD SMITH DOES IT AGAIN

by Gene Hayden

   Wow! There’s no other way to describe the January 27th performance of Richard Smith’s solo guitar concert at the Rowan Public Library in Salisbury.  His one man show was given to a standing room only (SRO) audience. He was quick to show there are two ways to spread the light of music: Be the light bulb, or a mirror to reflect it. And, he did both.  His play, English wit and humor, along with flying fingers, catapulted the audience into his own musical time zone.

   Oscar Wilde once said, “When there’s a musical audience, if they hear bad music, it’s their duty to drown it out by conversation.” There was none of that at the library as head nodding, toe-tapping, and frequent heavy applause was the norm.

   What the audience heard was good, no great, guitar music that was simply joy looking for words to be sung. There’s much to be said about the beauty of Smith’s laying fingers on the strings to stop and start their vibration to create such wonderful sounds.

   In the absence of any ones being acquainted with music, there can be no balance of life. Exposure to his music certainly helped eliminate the clogging of anyone’s heart and mind.  It didn’t matter if he played his prelude, medley, or an allegro of quick and lively finger action, his harmonic sounds was often like a duet of two instruments being played at one time.  He taught the audience the elementary knowledge of rhythm, the relationship between harmony and melody, and of the functions the guitar holds. For many casual listeners, he transformed a solo performance into a cogent example of pure music.

   Like a good memoir writer who is to educate, enlighten, explain, and entertain within a story, Smith did all of these as well.

   Someone once said, “Music is the world’s only common language.” He surely proved this.

   

Muriel Anderson -- Concert Review

by Cindy Snuggs

 

Cindy

     As I sat in the front row impatiently waiting for Muriel Anderson to come out and begin her concert at Saint Patrick's Episcopal Church, I had no idea what to expect. She was introduced and then this lovely little creature came out and adjusted herself on stage. I had just washed my hands with her in the bathroom and said nothing, not knowing what she looked like.

   Then she began to play the guitar. Slowly at first, the most unique sounds filling the room. I was enthralled, then daunted, being a beginner myself. Her finger playing was so fast, at times, that I couldn't begin to pick out what she was actually playing before she was on to the next piece. How thrilling it was and yet I was becoming even more doubtful of my own accomplishments. Then I realized that I would never be her or play her style of playing. I relaxed and just appreciated her talents in music and her amazing sense of humor. 

  She played a harp guitar next, which I had never seen, much less heard and it was phenomenal! At the very least, she is an eye-opener and a great entertainer. At the most, she is extremely exceptional at what she does. She played a new song for the audience to listen to and come back with a title of what it reminded them of. I listened to the responses, but never said that it reminded me of falling leaves and old memories floating in the wind, after all, what kind of title is that? Then she revealed she was calling it "Dandelions" and I thought how unfitting it was. Then I remembered that they turn into cream puffs and blow away in the wind...so how fitting it was after all, I smiled.

  I would like to brag and say that I had such a good ear, that I could pick out her off notes, but to tell the truth she gave it away herself with a wry look every time. She may want to practice her poker face.

  Anyway, YES!! She is human and a very lovable one at that.

Cindy Snuggs

Beginner Guitar Student

Rufty-Holmes Senior Center

Salisbury, NC