The whole history of the acoustic guitar could possibly reconstructed from this one outstanding recording. More than a few guitarists have a thorough and informed grasp of the many diverse traditions associated with the instrument. However, few have Towner's natural ability to spread these traditions out on an equal footing and to then build upon them to create a style of composition and performance which is entirely distinctive yet of universal appeal. Such a statement seems to imply cultural (and temporal) tourism of the worst sort, yet the ease with which the guitarist can apply the runs-and-tumbles of the classical tradition to a folk riff, or the thuds and snaps of the avant-garde to a loose, meandering blues structure without there ever being a note or a noise out of place is quite extraordinary. His earlier experience as a pianist clearly continues to inform his work, and his preference for the traditional Spanish instrument imbues his work with an unsurpassed tonal richness. --Roger Thomas