Doug Hamer
Acoustic Journal
© 2004 Doug Hamer (829757566627)
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Solo fingerstyle guitar at its best; all compositions in this album carry the listener across time, across mountains, lakes and even oceans through a wide array of emotions; each song capturing a special moment in time.
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DOUG HAMER
Acoustic Journal
JRT Records (2004)
Acoustic Journal is a melodic tapestry of fourteen solo (and one duet) acoustic guitar instrumentals, all of them accessible and easy to enjoy from the first playing. Moods and tempos vary but not in any way so as to present jarring juxtapositions between songs. If I was asked to compare Doug Hamer to other acoustic guitarists, I’d classify him as a blend of Clarelynn Rose and Ken Bonfield. He can kick up his proverbial heels on a song like “Java” which sways and rocks, albeit in a gentle fashion, or let subtle influences color his songs, such as on “Island Memories” (which draws from the Hawaiian slack key school) or the appropriately titled “Celtic Garden.” At other times, he takes a more impressionistic approach, playing in a sparser vein, e.g. “Fern Grotto,” which displays his control of nuance and shading, as well as demonstrating some well-executed studio engineering techniques (echo effect) which can go a long way toward giving the music some depth and extra feeling. Later in this track, the pace picks up even while the mood remains draped in mystery, as Hamer’s finger fly every which way on the fret board and across the strings, picking fingerstyle in a dazzling display of control.
The strengths of Acoustic Journal are its relative simplicity (this is, after all, just a solo acoustic guitar CD, with no keyboards or other accompaniment, with the exception of the presence of a second guitarist on the song “Next to Me,” a gentle romantic ballad, on which Hamer is joined by Dean Nissen) and it’s wider than usual variety of music, embracing an assortment of moods and tempos. That Hamer manages to vary the music as much as he does while still keeping the overall “feel” of the CD on the quiet side (perhaps achieved through attention to detail in the recording process, e.g. mic placement, mixing, and engineering) makes the recording an ideal soundtrack to Saturday afternoon chores, especially outdoors, or maybe as the musical backdrop to a distant thunderstorm.
From the self-described (in the copious liner notes) “haunting chordal structure and swaying tempo” of “Wind in the Windmill” to the slyly cheerful “Indigo Skies” to the uptempo blues of “No Strings” and the serene album closer, “Goodbye Shanghai,” Doug Hamer paints a multi-hued sonic landscape on his acoustic guitar, taking the listener through peaceful rural towns, winding through fog-shrouded valleys, and hiking to the tops of rolling hills. As I’ve always maintained, most acoustic instrumental music is especially well-suited for playing while enjoying our wonderful natural environment, whether it’s the peaceful north woods of the Midwest, the expansive vistas of the Rockies or Grand Tetons or the breathtaking ocean views from Highway 1 along the Pacific coastline. Doug Hamer’s Acoustic Journal is ideal music to listen to in any of these environs or you can enjoy it almost as much as an armchair traveler, too. Either way, I solidly recommend the album.
Bill Binkelman
Music Reviewer
New Age Reporter
Acoustic Journal has truly been a musical journey, a special voyage of the heart to places and experiences that have left an indelible impression on the artists soul. Every composition is intended to carry the listener across time, across mountains and oceans through a wide array of emotions. Each original piece represents a memory and is intended to capture an impression of a special moment in time.
This project is purely Doug doing what he loves best. It
is comprised soley of his original melodies and arrangements while playing his beloved Martin and as such this album gives the listener an intimate glimpse into the very heart of the writer and guitar-stylist. He considers music to be one of life's greatest Blessings and each song he has written to be a gift. Growing up surrounded by the coastal mountains and waters of Puget Sound, his writing and even his playing style has invariably been influenced by the beauty of his surroundings. The texture, mood and flow of his compositions reflect his love of nature and gratitude for our Creator. Relax and enjoy the journey...
Doug's solo guitar compostition "Come The Rain", is featured on The Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum's 2004 Anthology CD.
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Doug is a true master. We love him and his music!
author: Richard and YvoneThis is a truly beautiful CD and we hope that Doug continues to make beautiful music.
Finger-style guitar playing at it's best...melodic and moving.
author: Morning SunFinger-stylst Doug Hamer has composed and rendered a very special CD indeed. Both relaxing and inspiring, some of the hauntingly beautiful melodies linger like a lovely dream. This is finger style guitar playing at it's best.