Tommy Emmanuel has been regarded as one of our greatest guitarists for as long as I can remember. Any album he releases is worth listening to because he’s just that good. So how do you improve on that? When you’ve set the bar so high, how do you release a body of work that can stand above the rest? You get together some of your talented musician friends and jam on some of the world’s best songs. Turn on the recording equipment and the rest will take care of itself. That’s exactly what happens with Accomplice One, the latest release from our local guitar hero.
Tommy Emmanuel has assembled a who’s who of talent here, from relative newcomers like Jason Isbell to true legends like Ricky Skaggs and Mark Knopfler. It’s hard to pick stand-outs among the collection of country and folk tunes here. Each song feels special, like real magic has been captured like we’ll never hear again. There is such energy to these songs, the kind of spontaneity that comes from like musical minds come together. Tommy was never known as a singer, although he lends his voice to many of the numbers. I won’t say his vocals will ever set the world on fire, but they get the job done. Other tracks are instrumental, allowing the always exceptional talents of Tommy and his famous friends to take the spotlight. I do have a soft spot for the laidback “(Sittin’ On) Dock of the Bay,” one of several numbers recorded with J.D. Simo and the unique take on Madonna’s “Borderline” with Amanda Shires. “The Duke’s Message,” with vocals from Suzy Bogguss, is such a beautiful way to wrap up this recording.
Accomplice One isn’t just an album for Tommy Emmanuel fans or country music fans. It’s essential listening for all music fans. Accomplice One hits stores and digital outlets on January 19.
Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia