Jim Tozier has been laying down the tracks lately. In addition to this fine collection of 16 original instrumentals, Tozier simultaneously released "Celtic Guitar," his arrangements of many standard British-Isles tunes for solo steel string guitar.

From the first chord, it is apparent that Tozier has been immersed in the form and feel of Celtic music; his tunings of DADGAD and CGCGCD are widely used by modern interpreters of Irish and British music first played on fixed-pitch instruments. Many of modern fingerstyle guitar's brighter lights like Laurence Juber, Amrit Sond, the frailing of Steve Baughman, and Al Petteway echo through Tozier's work. Petteway's hand is all over the recording as co-producer and sound engineer at his Fairewood Studios. We never move too fast, or too slow, but Tozier allows us to drink in the notes as they fall off his fretboard.

There are various moods conveyed in this collection. We soar and dip on the winds with "Dalliance of the Eagles" with its strumming, tapping, and gentle fingerpicking. "The Sheffield Shuffle" syncopates, while "Train Station Blues" is a brief stop along the tracks. We see the smile of his young daughter in the lilting "Song for Shannon," and gracefully take a turn with him in "The Copper Waltz," dedicated to his wife Marilouise. "New York" gives us a musical memory of a night in the Big Apple, while "Frenchman Bay" caresses our senses with an almost hypnotic melody woven against a drone bass line. All in all, it's a fine release of solo guitar music very easy on the ears.

© Kirk Albrecht/Minor 7th.com

Jim Tozier plays tunes from all parts of the Celtic world, as well as his own original pieces that draw on many facets of folk heritage with clarity and a distinct touch. Not too much ornamentation, not a lot of flash and dash, but a devotion to melody and to the guitar as a storytelling instrument with a voice all its own mark his works. Many of the tunes on his collection of original works , SOLO GUITAR, are inspired by aspects of landscape, and his liner notes give just enough information to illuminate that without overburdening the listener's enjoyment of the music. Outstanding tracks include " The Copper Waltz" , "Frenchman's Bay" and "Dragonflies". On CELTIC GUITAR, he investigates well-known pieces , including "The Star Of County Down" and "Carolan's Cottage" with a quiet yet vigorous style that bears repeated listening.

(KD) Dirty Linen Magazine

Celtic Guitar

Al Petteway:

Shades of Blue

Laurence Juber: Guitarist

Amrit Sond:

Circular Motion