This aptly titled release is an entirely live, direct-to-digital recording of solo acoustic guitar performances by
Gordon Giltrap, encompassing nearly the entirety of his solo career.
The Solo Album is very much an album for the fans, featuring most of
Giltrap's best-known and most beloved tunes -- yes, "Heartsong," the theme to a popular British holiday program and probably
Giltrap's most famous tune, is included -- given unadorned and straightforward readings that sketch out the beauty of
Giltrap's melodies but don't expand upon them or experiment with them. As a result,
The Solo Album is a very nice listen, and probably an excellent starting point for the curious listener who's coming to
Gordon Giltrap for the first time, or for the devoted fan looking for new versions of old favorites. The casual fan in between those two extremes can probably safely give this one a miss. ~ Stewart Mason