CDs

Patty Larkin, A Gogo

Not surprisingly, the woman who delivers some of the most consistently great shows on the singer-songwriter circuit also knows how to make a killer live album. Beautifully recorded during 1997–98 solo tours with none of the plunky pickup sounds that ruin so many live "acoustic" efforts, A Gogo features in-the-pocket renditions of some of Larkin's best songs, from the frenetically funky "Wolf at the Door" to the sensuous "Tango" to the serene "Good Thing." Larkin's nuanced singing and bull's-eye songwriting aside, her guitar work on these 14 tracks is a 57-minute master class in how to create grooving, varied, subtle accompaniment that makes you feel the song and never miss the backup band. (Vanguard)

—Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers

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Tom Rozum, Jubilee

On this eclectic album, mandolinist Tom Rozum takes us on a musical tour that includes bluegrass, western swing, contemporary song, and Tin Pan Alley. Rozum's clear, unaffected tenor voice shines through thoughtful backup by acoustic luminaries such as Laurie Lewis, Herb Pedersen, Darol Anger, Todd Phillips, and Rob Ickes. Guitarist David Grier contributes a bouncy lead on "Don't Fix Up the Doghouse" and some extraordinary rhythm playing on "Walk Downtown." Mike Marshall's graceful guitar work appears on several numbers, setting a poignant mood on Mark Simos' beautiful "Jubilee" and a humorous tone on Irving Berlin's quirky "Without My Walking Stick." (Signature Sounds)

—Sue Thompson

Howard Emerson, Crossing Crystal Lake

On this CD, fingerstyle guitarist Howard Emerson presents nine polished and laid-back original pieces in a variety of styles and tunings. His inspirations include Randy Newman and Ry Cooder ("Dew Rag"), Disney cartoons ("Wake Up, Mary"), and Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed ("Dust Mop" and "Keep Walkin'"). Other highlights include the bouncy walking-bass figures of "Light in the Distance" and "Lucky Lady B," the south-of-the-border groove of "Marcelita," and the late-night meditations of "If You Must Go" and the title tune. (Howard Emerson)

—Russell Letson

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Samite, Stars to Share

African guitar is often based on the intricate patterns of the kalimba, so this new work by kalimba player and vocalist Samite should appeal to anyone fascinated with African acoustic guitar. Various tracks feature Will Ackerman, Jeff Pevar (CPR), or Brian Keane on acoustic guitar; Michael Manring makes an appearance playing bass; and other fine musicians show up as well. Stars to Share opens with a lightly plucked chordal guitar rhythm, and 12 tunes later a fading kalimba closes out 55 captivating minutes of gently rolling rhythms—a blend of South African, Ugandan, African jazz, and Native American influences that represent the gentle side of world beat. (Windham Hill)

—Gary Joyner

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Don Conoscenti, Mysterious Light

This CD is the sixth independent project by new breed singer-songwriter Don Conoscenti. It's an intimate affair featuring just a guy with a guitar and a killer voice. With a band-in-a-box fingerpicking style and a soulful, angelic tenor voice, Conoscenti creates engaging, thoughtful songs that sit up and beg to be noticed. While baring his own spiritual leanings, his songs tell stories of people in the midst of life's transitions. (Cogtone)

—Steve Givens

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Anders Osborne, Living Room

Welcome to song-based, soulful hippie funk from the heart of the Big Easy. Anders Osborne pens great songs that leave you singing the hooks and marveling at tasty arrangement details. He is also a ballsy guitar whiz and a good singer who means it. Best of all, Osborne offers just the right amount of funky big-band attitude with absolutely no self-indulgence. This is refreshing stuff. The rhythm tracks on Living Room alone (featuring New Orleans drummer Johnny Vidacovich) are worth the price—you will not be able to listen to this sitting still. (Shanachie)

—Rani Arbo

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Various artists, History of Hawaiian Steel Guitar

The steel guitar was invented in Hawaii in the late 1890s, and within three decades it gave birth to the most popular guitar style in America. History of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar is a collection of vintage recordings that traces the course of steel guitar from its hot jazz period in the '20s to its lush, romantic sound of the '50s. The emphasis here is on Hawaiian music rather than the mainland styles—western swing and bluegrass—that adopted the steel guitar. In a nice touch, the informative liner notes include photos of a number of vintage steel guitars as well as a list of the tunings used by the musicians. (Cord International)

—Michael Simmons

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Lorin Rowan Trio, Lorin Rowan Trio Live!

Armed with his Santa Cruz guitar and accompanied by Doug Harmon on cello and Jeremy Cohen on violin, singer-songwriter and consummate guitarist Lorin Rowan covers acoustic holy ground on this live set. The songs range from Rowan's own ballads (including the delightful "Winkleman's Farm") to playful and artistic instrumental takeoffs on the Beatles, Bob Marley, Mozart, and Pachelbel. Although live recordings sometimes suffer from scratchy vocals and tinny guitars, this pleasurable exception by Peter and Chris' younger brother will please both hard-core Rowan Brothers fans and audiophiles who enjoy high-quality recording and a confluence of musical styles. (Lorin Rowan)

—Steve Givens

Videos

Mike Dowling, Swing Guitar: Rhythm's Where It's At!

You've got to love any instructional piece on swing guitar that opens with George Barnes' famous dictum, "You can't make music swing; you have to let it swing." Mike Dowling has studied under Barnes and has absorbed influences as diverse as Eddie Lang and Oscar Alemán. In this 90-minute video he presents the basics of four-to-the-bar swing rhythm. Moving deftly through such classics as "Back Home Again in Indiana," "Sheik of Araby," and the venerable chord progression first codified in Gershwin's "I Got Rhythm," Dowling delves into the rhythm styles of Count Basie guitarist Freddie Green, Django Reinhardt, and even bluegrass legend Clarence White. (Homespun)

—David McCarty

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Steve Kaufman, Flatpicking Guitar: To the Next Level

Steve Kaufman has spent so much time in the last few years producing a seemingly endless string of flatpicking guitar instruction books and videos that his formidable instrumental skills may come as a surprise to some viewers. But during the course of this 19-song, 51-minute performance video, Kaufman shows again and again that his flatpicking skills have flourished. Playing his unique seven-string Gallagher guitar in both solo arrangements and in duets with fellow flatpicker Joe Carr, Kaufman roars through an impressive range of material that includes Celtic melodies, Texas-style fiddle tunes, elegant waltzes, and bluegrass. (Mel Bay)

—David McCarty

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Cogtone, PO Box 60728, Oklahoma City, OK 73146; www.doncon.com.

Cord International, 5518 Rincon Beach Park Dr., Ventura, CA 93001; (805) 648-7881; www.cordinternational.com.

Howard Emerson, PO Box 226, Huntington Station, NY 11746; hmemerson@aol.com

Lorin Rowan, fax (415) 383-5413; lorinrowan@mail.com

Signature Sounds, PO Box 106, Whately, MA 01093; (800) 694-5354; www.signature-sounds.com.