Nashville-based guitarist
Pete Huttlinger has carved out an extensive career as a versatile studio sideman, instructor, performer, and recording artist. From his days as sideman to the late
John Denver to his multitude of solo guitar albums, his clean, concise style has served him well. On his 2011 release,
Celtic Harmony, he lends his virtuosic chops to a collection of traditional Irish tunes along with a few other Celtic-related songs. From the uptempo opening set "Tommy Peoples/The Maid Behind the Bar" to the wonderful "Durang's Hornpipe," his precise picking lends itself well to the Celtic style and the fairly straightforward flute, whistle, and fiddle arrangements allow him to shine. He is at his best and most expressive on the more pastoral cuts like "Si Bheag, Si Mhor" and "The Water Is Wide," where his rich, sentimental playing adds depth and emotion. Like his other themed records,
Celtic Harmony shows why
Huttlinger has become such a respected musician in guitar circles.