Guitarist
Pete Huttlinger toured with the late
John Denver and other pop stars amid stints with symphony orchestras. On this release, Naked Pop,
Huttlinger utilizes a battery of acoustic guitars and various recording techniques for a set consisting of his interpretations of predominately pop and rock hits. For the most part, the artist weaves a personalized touch into the inherent compositional attributes of tunes by
Steely Dan,
The Beatles, and other notables.
Huttlinger possesses dazzling chops and displays a sophisticated methodology awash with jazzy single-note runs and complex chord voicings. Ultimately, the guitarist projects a radiant outlook throughout this upbeat production. He reconfigures pieces such as
Lennon &
McCartney's "I Love Her," while adding rhythmically charged grooves to several of these works. Needless to say,
Huttlinger mapped out a strategy, in lieu of opting for strict interpretations of these oft-heard standards. Essentially, he establishes a strong connection with his material of choice. No doubt, it is easy to discern why
Huttlinger won the 2000 National Fingerpick Guitar Championship. ~ Glenn Astarita