Incorporating country & western, Puerto Rican, and Mexican styles,
Chillingworth is first and foremost a singing cowboy, gifted with a quavering Mauna Kea-tumbleweed voice that sets him apart from other Hawaiian slack key guitarists. Anyone who can deliver a narrative about a rider who falls into a lava tube with his horse without generating unintended humor deserves respect. "Kaula ili" in fact is quite touching, showcasing
Chillingworth's dexterous guitar work and connecting its "get up and ride again" philosophy with his own ongoing battle against cancer. This disc could glide by on resonance alone, but he plays like a man at the peak of his powers navigating the demanding waltz "Halona" and decorating "Ho'omalu Slack Key" with hammer-on and pull-off effects. ~ Bob Tarte