True 12-String Guitar
Neil Jacobs
Adena Productions

When I think about acoustic guitar, I think Leo Kottke, the Cleveland Institute of Music's Jason Vieaux and those transformative Sounds Of Wood & Steel Windham Hill collections. If any of those options have piqued your interest, you'll thrill at the moving instrumental guitarisms of Neil Jacobs, a central Ohio guitarist who is nothing if not a master of his instrument and craft. He can make a 12-string guitar sound like a quartet of them playing at once; he effortlessly weaves several different musical genres with a striking, Modern Fingerstyle that's sure to send chills up and down your spine. On Jacobs' fifth long-player 12-String Guitar, the critically-acclaimed performer proves again why he's circumnavigated the planet for over 25 years... and how he ended up so in demand.

Jacobs delivers his warm and intentional blend of flamenco, "gypsy jazz," classical, world and Balkan Folk with scintillating precision and no overdubs. When you're absorbing the Dalmatian folk of "Monfrina," the swirling "Talijanska" (talk about Balkan to the bone) or the Prokofiev, Grieg and Rossini translations found in "Peter's Theme" and "Ghostrider Medley" you'll feel like Jacobs is parked on a stool next to you. The sound is preciously immediate -- like a live performance because, well, it is. His travels are an obvious influence (see "Refugee Tourist," "Moscow Calling" and "Belfast") but Jacobs playful, intentional approach always makes the listener feel right at home. Add coffee and your Sunday morning is spoken for.

Learn more about Jacobs, hear his work and see where he'll be in Northeast Ohio this month by visiting http://neiljacobs.com.

From Cool Cleveland Managing Editor Peter Chakerian peterATcoolcleveland.com

Wanna get reviewed? Send your band's CD (less than 1 year old) to: Cool Cleveland, 14837 Detroit Avenue, #105, Lakewood, OH 44107

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