Bill Hammond
BILL HAMMOND is a Minnesota-based guitarist and vocalist whose influences run the gamut from fingerstyle players and classical composers to blues wailers and country-style flat-pickers. He has played in groups and as a solo performer in his native Wisconsin and throughout Minnesota, where he has lived since 1981. His “Skywriter” CD was released in the fall of 2000, and has earned considerable airplay on public radio and Internet venues. “Speechless,” an all-instrumental recording that features six different guitars and six different tunings, was released in July 2004.
CD: Speechless (see image above)
Reviewer: Don Henderson
Too often the phrase “acoustic instrumental guitar” conjures up the image of a Windham Hill clone playing uninspired hyperspeed slap n’ tap riffs, or slow, droning fingerpicking exercises drenched in chorus and reverb. I’m happy to report that Bill Hammond is a refreshing exception to that trend, and in a big, big way. Blessed with a technique that doesn’t need to hide behind processed effects or flashy gimmicks, Hammond lets the natural sound of his instrument shine through on every tastefully played track of “Speechless”, his second full-length album. Every note Hammond plays belongs to the song, never the opposite. As a guitarist myself, it’s easy to hear when someone composes and performs from the approach of “Ok, I have these 4 cool riffs, how can I string em’ together so I end up with a song?” That’s a case of making the song belong to the notes, and it makes for an uninspired listening experience. I never get that feeling when I listen to Hammond’s music. His confidence can be felt on every track, but that confidence never lets the ego take over. Instead, it keeps the ego locked safely away (something more players could stand to do) so each song can be heard exactly as it should be. If you want a blueprint for how to play beautiful, ego-free guitar, or just want a meaningful listening experience, look no further than this CD.
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