Two qualities define Tommy Emmanuel’s greatness. The first, predictably, is his extraordinary guitar playing. Considered to be among this planet’s greatest guitarists, his playing is simply miraculous, as it would take three musicians, or more, to do what he does solo. Who else can lay down the rhythm part, dig into the riff and sing the melody all at once on just one acoustic guitar? The second, and without which the first might not be as powerful or as infectiously appealing, is the joy.
It’s one thing to play these multi-dimensional arrangements flawlessly on an acoustic guitar but to do it with that smile of the ages, that evidence of authentic, unbridled delight, is an irresistible invitation to feel his music as deeply as he does. Although his expression is instrumental, he comes to the guitar much more like a vocalist, positively singing melodies through the strings. He inhabits the tunes he performs, delivering every nuance and turn of phrase.
