Tommy Emmanuel Highlights
Tommy Emmanuel appeared at the Greenwich Odeum on April 8, 2022 to a sold out house. He had a remarkable British guitarist as a warm up act. Mike Dawes often plays warm up for Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues and truly was unique and inspiring. He warmly engaged the crowd while contending that Rhode Island really isn’t an island like the island from which he hails. His website provides this summary: “Mike Dawes is an English guitarist known for composing, arranging and performing multiple parts simultaneously on a single guitar. He is hailed as one of the world’s most creative modern finger-style guitarists with a repertoire spanning solo viral videos and popular arrangements, alongside mainstream chart success performing with Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues.
Dawes was named ‘Best Acoustic Guitarist in the World’ two years in a row (2017 & 2018) by Total Guitar Magazine/MusicRadar reader polls and simply needs to be seen to be believed. His ability to combine the melody, bass, harmony and percussion all seamlessly together with just one guitar leaves audiences absolutely stunned, both with original music and popular covers”.
Toward the close of his set he invited Tommy to join him and later in the program Tommy reciprocated.
Tommy Emmanuel a most rare Australian guitarist living in Nashville with a gift that defies adequate description using language. He is a most rare gem among humankind and the audience was aware and embraced him as one might hope.
Tommy’s website https://tommyemmanuel.com/bio/) offers this overview:
“Songs are our teachers. They show us the depth of the human race and its unrelenting desire to create.” – Tommy Emmanuel
Anytime you talk to any of his fans, whether musicians or civilians, invariably they will speak of not one but two qualities that define his greatness.
The first, predictably, is his extraordinary guitar playing. Considered by those in the know to be among this planet’s greatest guitarists, his playing is simply miraculous, as it would take three musicians, or more, to do what Tommy does solo. Who else, for example, when playing “Day Tripper,” can lay down the rhythm part, dig into the riff and sing the melody all at once on just one acoustic guitar?
Which brings us to the other aspect of his music always mentioned, and without which the first might not be as powerful or as infectiously appealing: the joy. Yes, joy. Because 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.
“The joy, he says, “is there always because I’m chasing it through music. Seeing the surprise in peoples’ eyes is worth living and working for… I can’t help but play to the people with all my heart, which is overflowing with joy of being in that moment that I’ve worked all my life for. And here it is!”
“When I was a kid, I wanted to be in show business. Now, I just want to be in the happiness business. I make music, and you get happy. That’s a good job.” – Tommy Emmanuel
Tommy certainly succeeded in making everyone happy with a vast program which displayed all of his levels of virtuosity as well as showmanship as he makes it look effortless. He has an engaging openness about him which makes the experience even more enjoyable. He shared the story of his infatuation with Chet Atkins from the age of 7 and his correspondence with him which bore fruit when he came to the US at age 25. Tommy later recorded an album with Chet and wrote a piece for him entitled ‘Mr. Guitar’. He also recited a verse from a piece referencing fathers which was very touching. As he wound down the program he launched into a Beatles medley as above with Day Tripper and continued for more than 10 minutes at break neck tempo. After playing a long set he rewarded the crowd with one encore. This was truly a remarkable experience from top to bottom.
As I was packing my camera bags I complimented the gent managing the lights and commented that it must be fun to work with Tommy as he appears such a warm, giving soul. He asked if I’d met Tommy and I indicated that I had not. He asked if I’d like to and then I was backstage visiting with Tommy Emmanuel sitting side by side on the couch. Interestingly, of all the musical questions on my mind, we spoke for 20 minutes of our families, health and living and loving life, each day. I chose to forego the selfie and enjoy the moment for all that it was. He is truly a wonderful guy who also plays guitar like no one else. Life is good!
Thanks to the good folks at the Greenwich Odeum who have made these opportunities possible. I am most appreciative to have the chance to collect these historic memories. Thanks to Tommy Emmanuel and Mike Dawes for a very entertaining evening.
Read MoreDawes was named ‘Best Acoustic Guitarist in the World’ two years in a row (2017 & 2018) by Total Guitar Magazine/MusicRadar reader polls and simply needs to be seen to be believed. His ability to combine the melody, bass, harmony and percussion all seamlessly together with just one guitar leaves audiences absolutely stunned, both with original music and popular covers”.
Toward the close of his set he invited Tommy to join him and later in the program Tommy reciprocated.
Tommy Emmanuel a most rare Australian guitarist living in Nashville with a gift that defies adequate description using language. He is a most rare gem among humankind and the audience was aware and embraced him as one might hope.
Tommy’s website https://tommyemmanuel.com/bio/) offers this overview:
“Songs are our teachers. They show us the depth of the human race and its unrelenting desire to create.” – Tommy Emmanuel
Anytime you talk to any of his fans, whether musicians or civilians, invariably they will speak of not one but two qualities that define his greatness.
The first, predictably, is his extraordinary guitar playing. Considered by those in the know to be among this planet’s greatest guitarists, his playing is simply miraculous, as it would take three musicians, or more, to do what Tommy does solo. Who else, for example, when playing “Day Tripper,” can lay down the rhythm part, dig into the riff and sing the melody all at once on just one acoustic guitar?
Which brings us to the other aspect of his music always mentioned, and without which the first might not be as powerful or as infectiously appealing: the joy. Yes, joy. Because 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.
“The joy, he says, “is there always because I’m chasing it through music. Seeing the surprise in peoples’ eyes is worth living and working for… I can’t help but play to the people with all my heart, which is overflowing with joy of being in that moment that I’ve worked all my life for. And here it is!”
“When I was a kid, I wanted to be in show business. Now, I just want to be in the happiness business. I make music, and you get happy. That’s a good job.” – Tommy Emmanuel
Tommy certainly succeeded in making everyone happy with a vast program which displayed all of his levels of virtuosity as well as showmanship as he makes it look effortless. He has an engaging openness about him which makes the experience even more enjoyable. He shared the story of his infatuation with Chet Atkins from the age of 7 and his correspondence with him which bore fruit when he came to the US at age 25. Tommy later recorded an album with Chet and wrote a piece for him entitled ‘Mr. Guitar’. He also recited a verse from a piece referencing fathers which was very touching. As he wound down the program he launched into a Beatles medley as above with Day Tripper and continued for more than 10 minutes at break neck tempo. After playing a long set he rewarded the crowd with one encore. This was truly a remarkable experience from top to bottom.
As I was packing my camera bags I complimented the gent managing the lights and commented that it must be fun to work with Tommy as he appears such a warm, giving soul. He asked if I’d met Tommy and I indicated that I had not. He asked if I’d like to and then I was backstage visiting with Tommy Emmanuel sitting side by side on the couch. Interestingly, of all the musical questions on my mind, we spoke for 20 minutes of our families, health and living and loving life, each day. I chose to forego the selfie and enjoy the moment for all that it was. He is truly a wonderful guy who also plays guitar like no one else. Life is good!
Thanks to the good folks at the Greenwich Odeum who have made these opportunities possible. I am most appreciative to have the chance to collect these historic memories. Thanks to Tommy Emmanuel and Mike Dawes for a very entertaining evening.
