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Review Tommy Emmanuel Finally in a Theater Concert in Columbus Sixteen year ago Tommy Emmanuel never even got to Ohio on any of his tours. Then, he started sneaking into the state down at Jorma Kaukonen's "Fur Peace Ranch" - the prestigious weekend guitar camp down in Pomeroy, Ohio. Then, Pete Ellerhorst of the Greater Cincinnati Performing Arts Society started a very successful series of Tommy concerts down in the southern part of Ohio. Cleveland, then, got a look at him every now and then. Just a few years ago they booked him at the beautifully restored Midland Theater in Newark - and, then just two evenings later he performed at a civic center in Springfield, Ohio. - But, never Columbus!! Well, ok - he did come to our Ohio State Fair about 15 years ago - but, that was in a "show tent" on a very rainy day - where most of the less than 150 people in the audience "just happened by." I'm talking about an all out official big time Tommy Emmanuel Concert - never in Columbus. This past September 21st, 2013 Tommy performed at the Capitol Center/Riffe Center here in Columbus, Ohio to a packed house of 900 screaming people. Always ever mindful and respectful of where his music and success came from, he includes a medley of Chet Atkins and Merle Travis tunes in the beginning of his opening set. And, he acknowledged our Ohio Fingerstyle Guitar Club at the same time. With his massive popularity where ever he goes - he and he alone is keeping the spirit of our club heroes alive around the world. Tommy still plays his more up-tempo favorites like Guitar Rag, Classical Gas, and his ever popular Beatles medley which included Here Comes the Sun, When I’m 64, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Day Tripper” and Lady Madonna. And, he included a "percussive" tune where he uses his guitar as a drum set - The Trail, I believe - always a crowd pleaser. However, this long time fan noticed and totally enjoyed Tommy's apparent "mellowing with age" as he woooed us with several of his compositions from his latest CDs which he even "sat down" to play several of. He continued his "more mellow" presentation with his originals Half Way Home and Angelina - his very popular song written to his daughter. Sooner or later
during a Tommy Emmanuel concert, if you can take a deep breath and
reflect in the moment, you realize that you have been listening to ONE MAN - ONE
GUITAR - NO TRACKS - NO LOOP MACHINES - NO BAND - for TWO AND A HALF HOURS - a
musical genius! And, you are as excited as if you had been listening to a Led
Zeppelin concert. This incredible artist is hands down the best
guitarist in the world - very possibly the best ever. Without question the
most entertaining.
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