Legendary Guitarist
Tommy Emmanuel
Releases Album “Little By Little”
Two-time Grammy nominated Australian virtuoso guitarist Tommy Emmanuel, CGP* is set to release his new 2-CD studio album Little By Little on 14th March through the Favored Nations imprint.
As the Swahili proverb says, all things are possible if you just take it little by little, step by step. This was the inspiration behind the album title, Little By Little. Emmanuel explains, “The proverb holds a special significance to me because it’s a lesson I had to learn in my life – to take things one day at a time and not be so concerned about tomorrow and I think that’s an important lesson to learn.” Emmanuel describes the album as “a joy to make” but says, “It took a lot longer than any other project I’ve ever done purely because the songs kept coming. With this album, I was really pleased that all these elements came together so I could get that message across through my music and get a good positive message out there to people.
The 24 tracks, spread over two discs, brilliantly showcase Emmanuel’s distinctive “finger style” playing, using all ten fingers, and features collaborations with special guests Rick Price, Anthony Snape, Victor Wooten, Doyle Dykes, Dr. John Knowles (CGP), Pam Rose and others.
The album’s tempo moves from break-neck, in-your-face finger-picking tunes such as “Locomotivation,” “The Might Mouse,” and “The Welsh Tornado” that have their roots in Merle Travis, Jerry Reed and Chet Atkins to more melodic songs such as the title track “Haba Na Haba,” – Swahili for “little by little” – which is featured twice both as an instrumental version and a vocal version with Anthony Snape and Pam Rose. The album also includes live favourites such as “Ruby’s Eyes,” “The Fingerlakes,” “Jolly Swagman,” and “Papa George” which Emmanuel has been performing live for some time but has never recorded before.
Little By Little Track Listing
Disc One
Halfway Home
The Jolly Swagman
Locomotivation
Haba Na Haba (Instrumental)
Tears For Jerusalem
Waiting For A Plane
The Fingerlakes
The Welsh Tonado
He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother (With Dr. John Knowles, CGP)
The Mighty Mouse
Ruby’s Eyes
Moon River (Instrumental)
Disco Two
Jack Magic
Papa George
Haba Na Haba (Vocal)
Tapestry (With Doyle Dykes)
Mountains of Illinois
The Tennessee Waltz (With Dr. John Knowles, CGP)
Countrywide
Moon River (Vocal) (with Rick Price)
Willie’s Shades (with Anthony Snape)
Smokey Mountain Lullabye
Guitar Boogie
The Trails
Recognized as the elite of the elite and arguably the greatest living acoustic guitar player, Emmanuel has mesmerized both fellow musicians and audiences alike with a professional career that spans nearly five decades. Emmanuel’s dazzling performance, flawless guitar skills and voluminous repertoire never fail to amaze and engage his legions. From the wilds of Australia’s outback to the bustling major cities throughout the world, Emmanuel’s flair, unforgettable showmanship and exhaustive world wide touring schedule have created an enviable fan base that continues to grow even larger every year.
2010 has been an especially big year for Emmanuel. In June, he was voted Best Acoustic Guitarist in Guitar Player Magazine’s 2010 Readers’ Choice Awards. On July 26, he was honored by the Queen, being awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for his service to the music and entertainment industries as a guitarist, and to the community as a supporter of the Australian charitable organization Kids Under Cover which works to build homes and provide scholarships for homeless and at risk youth. Emmanuel is featured on the track “Much Too Soon” on Michael Jackson’s album of newly completed recordings MICHAEL.
Emmanuel will be back touring in the UK in April/May 2011. His “Acoustic & Electric” tour will be a unique opportunity to see him fronting his own band, as opposed to his customary solo performances – a first for the UK!
28 April Bristol Colston Hall www.colstonhall.org
29 April London Forum venues.meanfiddler.com/the-forum/home
30 April Nottingham Royal Centre www.royalcentre-nottingham.co.uk
01 May Newcastle City Hall www.newcastlecityhall.org
02 May Wolverhampton The Robin www.therobin.co.uk (with afternoon workshop)
Tickets for all shows are £25 in advance and are subject to booking fee. All shows will start at 7.30pm.
No doubt 2011 will see Emmanuel continuing to win over the world’s concert audiences with his amazing talent, dynamic showmanship and unforgettable music – little by little!
*CGP – Certified Guitar Player – a title given to Emmanuel by the legendary Chet Atkins in 1999
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