Tommy E. in Austin

[Tailgate215]

Last night Tommy played The Paramount to a packed house.

Two observations:

1. He plays with tremendous passion and joy.
2. He ain't from the same planet as the rest of us.

Wow.

[s2y]

I missed him in my area again. Wish I could have seen him, but I was stuck working an evening shift at the hospital. I missed him the previous time due to vacation. Next tour will be top priority.

I'd agree that he must be an alien and that his enthusiasm is amazing.

[jwellsy]

He was near me about 2 weeks ago. I found out the following day. Heard the show was fantastic. He supposedly played an entire song with just his left hand that was more intricate than what 99.9% of all other players can do with both hands on their best days.

[Tailgate215]

Someone yelled 'Stevie's Blues' and he said he hasn't played that in a long time, but since he was in Austin, he should....then he nailed it and made it look effortless.

[Reasley]

Originally Posted by Tailgate215

Last night Tommy played The Paramount to a packed house.

Two observations:

1. He plays with tremendous passion and joy.
2. He ain't from the same planet as the rest of us.

Wow.

I agree. I posted this on another music forum several years ago about him:

"You are exactly right! Tommy Emmanuel is a class act. For me, the best way to view his "attitude" toward playing is that of a small child, as in: "Can you believe I just did that, that it's possible, and isn't it just too cool?" -- not in a cocky sense at all but in an amazed way -- again, just like a child. It is an absolute delight to watch this man play knowing, KNOWING, that he has practiced for years and years, probably from the time of a very small child.

On the technical side, he must have the bodies of his guitars loaded with pickups to get the percussive sounds that he gets from those things.

I just love the guy -- can't say enough good about him."

And, in that thread was a response that I thought (IMO, of course, along with Chet Adkins. See below) was the dumbest, probably rudest, most inaccurate post that I have ever read about a musician:

"There are MUCH better guitarists out there than Emanuel but he makes up for his lack of style with what he considers "showmanship" which is what I consider "show-OFF-manship". He's all speed and no style. . . And he's (in my not so humble opinion) low class."

Just how dumb was that opinion? Well, let's hear what Chet Adkins says about Tommy Emmanuel: "He is, without a doubt, one of the greatest guitarists on the planet."

Indeed, Chet Adkin's last recorded song before he died was done at his home with Tommy Emmanuel.

One may not like Tommy Emmanuel's "style" or his way of playing. But, please, give the man his due on his immense talent and the hard work and motivation that it took to get there.

[Tailgate215]

'All speed and no style'.. give me a break

Angelina

[Reasley]

Originally Posted by Tailgate215

'All speed and no style'.. give me a break

Angelina

I know, right? This person owns a music store, too. I would never do business with someone that is that clueless about consumer behavior. If you are a retailer and you are posting on public forums, and if you a person that likes to "tell it like it is" because it strokes your ego, then the best thing you can do for your business is to not post.

[varmonter]

Hmm well I have always found Tommy Emmanuel a bit
Cocky. But he makes up for that in talent.
Your right he is not of this planet.
Chet Atkins on the other hand I always thought
As a humble person.. both Atkins and Emmanuel are/were top notch players.

[Reasley]

Originally Posted by varmonter

Hmm well I have always found Tommy Emmanuel a bit
Cocky. But he makes up for that in talent.
Your right he is not of this planet.
Chet Atkins on the other hand I always thought
As a humble person.. both Atkins and Emmanuel are/were top notch players.

Yes, I respect that some think he is cocky. But I really think that it is an extreme love for being able to play, like "Can you BELIEVE that we are able to get these kind of sounds with a piece of wood????"

I used to think Daryl Hall was cocky as heck (and, he WAS, "back in the day"). But that man's love for music has won me over a thousand times. If you like pop music, Daryl's House is a real treat on YouTube. Just sheer musical bliss. To me, anyway. The ONLY episode I don't like is the one with Cee Lo Green who says "FU" in an entire song. And, by the way, the song's melody is beautiful. But I cannot get beyond the constant use of that phrase and, as a result, I cringe when I hear that guy's voice and I hate it . . .

[Captain Jim]

My wife and I are seeing him tonight in San Antonio - looking forward to the experience!

[islandguitar]

Hoping you'll love it! He leaves it all on the stage 110% every night.

[pjroberts]

Originally Posted by Tailgate215

Last night Tommy played The Paramount to a packed house.

Two observations:

1. He plays with tremendous passion and joy.
2. He ain't from the same planet as the rest of us.

Wow.

Glad you got to this show! I had to “donate” my tix being on the west coast for a while ... second time I’ve missed TE. And great venue too. Amazing the way he can just pick up a request unrehearsed like that. Ah well, next time!