"Solitary Travel" marks the debut of a major talent in the world of acoustic guitar.
If Kottke, Fahey, and Procter are household names where you live, consider getting
familiar with Sam Pacetti's work. This young guitarist is an enormous talent.
Whether playing a reel, covering Martin Simpson or dishing out a ravishing original,
Pacetti is a simply astonishing guitarist ...Eric Fidler, AP.
One of the most talented instrumentalists and composers to appear in acoustic music
in a month of Sunday's.Michael Parrish - Dirty Linnen.
Folk Alley, October 29, 2006
Ten Years ago Sam Pacetti released "Solitary Travel". He won "Best New Artist"
at Falcon Ridge. He was 22. The other day while working on future playlists,
I put on "Union", the new album with partner
Gabriel Valla.
Whoa. One song
after another, I could not concentrate on my computer screen.
Sam's delivery is passionate, confident, and as attention grabbing as Mark O'Connor's playing. His own compositions are full of metaphor and imagery, and the songs chosen by other writers seem made for him.
The guitar leads provided by Gabriel Valla embellish Sam's delivery. The combination of their talents creates an experience rich in imagery, sound and mastery. Although only two guitars and voice the overall effect is symphonic.
This CD simply will not let them disappear any longer.
Here'a line from Sam's "Augustine", a passionate rekindling of an old love:
"You are the moon that shines upon my dream in wakefulness,
I am the sorcerer that casts the spell to calm your seas.
And on your beach I run, and on your waves I play
I take flight with the gulls, I'm changing everyday"
They also chose Verlon Thompson's "Christians and Outlaws," a moving reflection on reincarnation, focusing on the poetry of the concept:
"Last time I came through here I was the summer wind,
I whispered on your wheat fields, and called in the cool rain.
I carried all your laughter, and your sweet old fiddle tunes,
Right up through the rafters, as I sang 'em to the harvest moon."
All of this verse comes alive when it flows through the music - please
listen to these two songs - and the rest of the album for that matter.
I almost missed this album, don't you.
Jim Blum
Posted by Jim Blum at October 29, 2006 9:31 PM
author: Steve Wildey Miami FL.
Passion and angst come together to create a compelling musical landscape.
From the originals to the tried and true compositions, these two travelers
unite with seamless ease vocally as well as melodically. This CD offering
is a true gem and well worth the money.
author: Anne Price
As one who has heard Sam & Gabe play live for many years, I was thrilled to see that they had finally put their combined talents on a CD. This CD is indeed top notch but it is still relatively conservative compared to what they can do when they pull out all the stops! 'The Christian and the Outlaw' and 'There' are wonderously well done, but there are many they left off. Get This One!
author: Jordan Lee
This is the perfect guitar CD, a milestone in quality.
author: Thomas M. Burgess
It was the find of the year for me...... Truely a great blend of voices and instruments.
Real American music.