Rich Peare: Guitar Hour

By DAVE NATHAN July 23, 2002

The title of Rich Peare's inaugural album, Guitar Hour is a perfectly accurate description of what you get, viz., an hour of beguiling and romantic acoustic guitar by a young man with out of the ordinary talent. The approach to his studio recording is quite different than the common practice in today's high technology which is now seems as important as the music, let's fix it in the mixin' approach, often in making many contemporary recording. On Peare's album, each track is the result of just one take. What you hear is what was taped the first and only time round. So, this is really much like a concert recording and has that special tension unique to those sessions. The program is one of entirely romantic standards, except for the last item, "Blues for Manny", which Peare penned. That the sitting is more concert focused than studio makes one appreciate even more the guitarist's ability improvise on this set of familiar music. The melodies are there, but they are subtly presented and one has to listen with some effort to catch them, on "Body and Soul" and one of the most engaging and beguiling renderings of "Stella by Starlight" I've ever had the pleasure of hearing. Peare's bass lines are clean and well defined, unfettered with extraneous chordal smearing. With the talent he displays on this CD, Peare is destined to become a bright firmament in the galaxy of guitar players. Recommended.

Track Listing: If I Had You; Body and Soul; All the Things You Are; Stardust; I Can't Believe You Are in Love With Me; My Old Flame; Stella by Starlight; Lover Man; Blues for Manny


Rich Peare is a Jazz and Classical Guitar performer and teacher from Staten Island,N.Y.His debut recording 'Guitar Hour' has received rave reviews in Jazz Improve and Cadence Magazines, as well as Allaboutjazz.com, who calls Rich a 'Bright firmament in the galaxy of guitar players,recomended'


by aloha

As a student of Mr.Peare, I can tell you first hand that his playing is truly incredible. He brings so much Jazz to a small school; his work is amazing. While being incredibly good, these songs don't even to begin to show the immense talent Rich has. Buy them. Buy his second album where you can find it. Support this authentic jazz musician today.

Personnel: Rich Peare - Acoustic Guitar