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Acoustic Alchemy - Positive Thinking Audio CD

A fair review of the Acoustic Alchemy "Positive Thinking" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Acoustic Alchemy reviews here, or go back to the Acoustic Alchemy tabs.

Acoustic Alchemy Band: Acoustic Alchemy
Title: Positive Thinking
Rating:
Release Date: 1998-05-19
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Passionelle 2: Rainwatching W.I. 3: Cadaqu�s 4: Five Card Trick 5: Positive Thinking 6: Better Shoes 7: Vapour Trails 8: Augustr�sse 18 9: Time Gentlemen Please 10: Limited Excess

My Favorite Acoustic Alchemy Recording
(Why stop with one? :) This is probably my first and is certainly my favorite. I have a number of Acoustic Alchemy recordings in my collection. This music carried me through many dark days several years ago when my depression was at its worst.

When the darkness threatened, I could plug in my headset and set my iPod to play AA music. The ebb and flow of their work was a welcome distraction. The work is always excellent and the recordings are well engineered. The band is tight and hanging in the pocket.

I love the mix of instruments and that they change guitars now and again. There is something about instrumental music when it is well-executed that is special. Instead of listening to a lyric, one listens to the flow of melody and the interaction of melody with harmony and support. At least I do.

If you have any Acoustic Alchemy but don't own this recording, add it to your collection. If you're new to Acoustic Alchemy, then this is a good recording to try. I'd also suggest Red Dust and Spanish Lace. It's good too.


A Bittersweet Release
Positive Thinking was slated to be their 10th collaboration. Greg Carmichael and Nick Webb made a lot of great music during the years they worked together. Unfortunately, as many of us know, Nick Webb died as this album was being put together, so it was left to John Parsons to fill Webb's very big shoes. Though Webb was not around to play on the CD, he was able to share in the compositions and arrangements. Long-time Acoustic Alchemy fans will be able to feel his touch as they listen through, and that makes this a very bittersweet release indeed.
What's not to like here? The band is tight and inspired, seemingly coming together flawlessly in Webb's memory. For my taste, favorites include the languid Rainwatching W. I. ; the Spanish-tinged Cadaques; The Five Card Trick, Auguststrasse 18; and the laid-back jazzy Time Gentlemen Please.
It is unfortunate but inevitable that the band went off in a new direction following the issue of Positive Thinking. Yet its a miracle under the circumstances that this project did not fall through. This is one Acoustic Alchemy CD that should be on every fan's shelf, both for the quality of the music and as a tribute to the power of Nick Webb's positive thinking and determination to see it through.


BEST EVER !!!!!
I never get tired of it. I am a long time Acoustic Alchemy fan and no matter what album I am listening to, I always go back to this CD. I think with Nick Webb being so ill during the recording of this CD, made it very meaningful to the entire band. My favorites are "Five Card Trick" and "Passionelle". There is not one song on the entire CD that I skip over. I highly recommend to any smooth jazz fan !!!!!!.


First encounter
I could not decide what 'type' of music this way. This was my first encounter with Acoutic Alchemy and it gave me a feeling I had not experienced in while. I wanted to say Jazz, but when I listened to some of their other stuff, I realize they are not a jazz band. It was kind of a blend of alternative music, Jazz and county kinda fused together. I love this CD, though I don't really think this band is my everyday style of music. I recommend Postive Thinking. . oh yeah, the CD too!.


As Bob Marley would say--positive vibrations!
However, I must say that rarely have I enjoyed an album more. I am relatively new to Acoustic Alchemy--this is my 4th purchase. From the first listen, I find the selections, rich, robust and soothing. I particularly love the title track which moves me in a way I have not been moved by this genre--except, perhaps, by Pat Metheney. It is much harder to critique music than literature, since there is much more subjectivity involved. However, if you like Alchemy's previous work, you're sure to find something to love on 'Positive Thinking'!.


You can see a complete list of all Acoustic Alchemy discography, or go back to the Acoustic Alchemy tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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