Rumors
”I came to know Adam Werner’s work via his performance tributes to Michael Hedges; performances which I, as Michael’s producer, found to be deeply respectful of Michael’s work and legacy. Those performances required considerable technical talent, but I’ve now had a chance to connect with the powerful emotional depth of his own compositions as well. Adam Werner is a marvelous technician who requires more of himself than simple gymnastics. His music is both impressive technically and emotionally vocative. He’s one of the few post-Hedges guitarists who have something to say. “
“Adam’s ‘Apprentice of a Dead Man’ - a song he wrote as a tribute to Michael Hedges, and which showcased his amazing fingerstyle ‘slap & tap” and other percussive techniques. The energy and excitement of ‘Apprentice” was contrasted with the poignancy and sheer beauty of ‘Impending Death of the Virgin Spirit’ a song written by Will Ackerman...”
“Group ensemble on the finale, ‘Ku’u Home ‘O Kahalu’u’...you’ve never heard it played this way, with the combination of slack key, fingerstyle, subtle tapping and percussion, classical colorations...It was magical.”
"...the delightful and dreamy e-bow piece "Thank You" by Adam Werner..."
Woodsongs (New Land Music, 2006) Woodsongs is a collection of evocative instrumental acoustic guitar pieces by reputable American guitarists as well as newcomers. The compilation follows the footsteps of the highly successful acoustic guitar compilations released by Windham Hill in the 1990s. This is not surprising as Windham Hill's founder Will Ackerman is involved in the project as producer of some of the tracks. Also participating are former Windham Hill artists such as virtuoso bassist Michael Manring and guitarist Alex de Grassi.The participating guitarists play new acoustic instrumental music that is highly melodic, and sometimes melancholic, crossing the boundaries between classical music, American folk and even jazz. Pieces that stand out are "Love's Dance" by Turtle Writing, where layers of acoustic guitars by Nick Cosimano are combined with Michael Manring's soloing bass and Eugene Friesen's cello; Quintana Roo by Preston Reed, using slap guitar techniques; the delightful and dreamy e-bow piece "Thank You" by Adam Werner; David Cullen's Brazilian inspired "Country Carnivale"; and masterful Alex de Grassi on "Hand Signals".The album is American-centric and excludes many excellent international performers. Still, it is a great opportunity to sample the new acoustic guitar scene in the United States.For those who miss the Windham Hill sound, this is a great opportunity to capture the magic of the acoustic guitar. For more information go to: www.newlandmusic.com
A. Romero - World Music Central (Feb 1, 2007)
Woodsongs - CD
Having considered all strings and past guitar compilations, it is exciting to hear this new CD that resets the standard for innovation in a time-honored tradition. While the guitar-o-meter may well need to be recalibrated for "Woodsongs," it is true there are many such collections over the years that connect on technical and style levels, but few if any that have ever been so engaging, personally affecting and emotionally versatile. Above all, the sound quality is beyond brilliant, which can be attributed to the mastering of Bob Ludwig, whose credits are a veritable who's who across all musical styles. 17 tracks by 17 different artists make for such a full program that it will take many listens to begin to digest the artistic expression and mastery that is on full display here. Of course, several tracks will stand out for each listener. I was first taken by "Quintana Roo," an unreleased track from Preston Reed who employs all aspects of his instrument, and "Thank You" by Adam Werner, who conceived the idea for this far-reaching project. Later, I began really hearing the colorful, pastel beauty of "Hand Signals," a brand new track from Alex DeGrassi, and "After the Sunrise," a track by Robert Walling with female voices woven through the mix. Even Will Ackerman, who contributes the exquisite closing track, "Last Day at the Beach," feels this surpasses the great Windham Hill Guitar samplers from the seminal period of that label (which he founded) and what previously epitomized this stylistic expression.
Lloyd Barde - YOGI Times (Jan, 2007)
Woodsongs - CD
An Acoustic Guitar Collection
This beautiful collection of mostly acoustic guitar instrumentals has two Hawai`i Island residents featured on it, namely local legend John Keawe and the multi-talented Chris Yeaton. Also featured are Windham Hill Records founder William Ackerman and Alex Degrassi, plus many other very dedicated and talented acoustic guitar players.
The collection was released on the recently formed Newland Music label, which promises to release music "that is an alternative to the homogenized music dictated by the major record labels and provide a creative outlet for a small group of creative musicians."
Strong words that I definitely agree with.
This is a wonderful collection of music to accompany you on a quiet stroll or a sojourn on the beach.
I applaud New Land Music for this effort and wish them the best of luck.
Ken Cameron - Big Island Weekly (Apr 11, 2007)
Adam Werner gives great performance during Storyteller Series
With his long hair pulled back into a ponytail, ripped-at-the-knees jeans and a very bright unbuttoned shirt, Adam Werner took the stage and calmly mesmerized his audience. Werner played an 11-song set with three different acoustic guitars, one of which was a Symphony Harp Guitar. His intricate and syncopated pieces were amazing to hear and to watch. Werner used a variety of techniques to make his guitars come alive and show emotion.
He used two-handed and over-the-top fret board movements, intricate harmonics, unconventional tunings, neck bending, string slapping and guitar slapping to tell a story through his instruments. For the fourth and fifth song, special guest Kentaro Otsuka joined Werner on stage with his 5-string electric bass. Together they created a very psychedelic, gloomy and eerie atmosphere, accentuated greatly by Otsuka’s pulse effect.
For the 7th song only, Werner introduced his Harp Guitar to the audience and showed an amazing amount of musicianship. Werner was able to keep a bass line underneath his lead guitar melodies and used crescendos and decrescendos to the fullest advantage in this piece. Otsuka joined Werner for the final song and joined him in the arena of harmonics. Adam Werner is perhaps the most talented guitar player the Storyteller Series has featured.
Mark Glesne - The Echo
Adam has been recognized as a "guitarist extraordinaire," by Rock City News, and "an artist that provokes curiosity, is quite an unconventional player with very atmospheric and rhythmic music and musicianship that is very intriguing," L A Music Scene
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