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Raves!
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Praise
for Inventing Time
"Inventing
Time succeeds mightily on every level. This is the kind of record
that will cause budding guitarists to either practice harder or
sell their guitar in frustration. For the rest of us, though, we
can enjoy the mastery and musicality of a truly exceptional talent."
- Aaron Bragg, The
Local Planet
"Commanding, with undertones to remind us that some forms of
expression are beyond the reach of words.
- Laura Bond, Westword
"While multitudes
of acoustic guitarists struggle to distinguish themselves as solo
instrumentalists by unfurling dazzling virtuoso turns and overly
complicated musical structures, Joseph Brenna transcends that striving
through the triumph of feeling over technical wizardry and lucid
song forms over abstract artfulness. There's no shortage of jaw-dropping
facility in Brenna's playing … but the technical brilliance rarely
draws attention to itself. Instead, the complex patterns and bell-like
tones frame the emotional intention and sharpen the musical focus
of each song.
The end result is a kind of world music-Americana
fusion from a humble and gentle-spirited master."
- Derk Richardson, Yoga
Journal
"At once and
alternately playful and contemplative, Joseph Brenna has offered
up a nice collection of instrumental guitar work with Inventing
Time. He sets the mood and lures you into his world with the
easygoing title track, then proceeds to have a really good time
for another 15 songs. Inventing Time is a fine tip of the
hat (or guitar, as the case may be) to the power, both healing and
inspirational, that pure music holds within it."
- Kelly McCartney, All
Music Guide
Combines
a spectrum of instrumental guitar styles - from folk, jazz, classical
and ragtime - and arrives with an inventive
guitar blend. Brenna's compositional gift and love of the guitar
is quite obvious on Inventing Time and his playing is superb
throughout.
- Robert Silverstein, 20th
Century Guitar
"Inventing Time is a marvelous
illustration of (Brenna's) skills. It consists of diverse influences
that would pull a lesser musician to pieces, but are molded by a
coherent discipline here. Brenna strolls through each composition,
inserting tasty virtuoso flourishes into solid structural patterns.
It's mighty good."
- Brad Wiesmann, Colorado
Daily
Acoustic
guitar magic ... a piece of sweet emotional musicianship
- Eric Melvin, Riff
A powerfully
earthy sound that delights .. Brenna proves to be a talented and
innovative solo acoustic guitarist.
-Nick Dayley, Yoga
in the Rockies
Praise
for Joseph Brenna
"Inspired
guitar work."
- Dirty Linen
"An interesting sound, a blend
of American songcraft and worldy rhythms ... Brenna is a solid instrumentalist."
- College Music Journal
The dictionary
defines virtuoso as an experimenter or investigator,
offering as an example, a highly skilled performer.
That definition clearly fits Joseph Brenna. On his own Saturday,
Brenna was able to unleash the full range of sound mastery that
he possesses. (His) power on the guitar is almost overwhelming
combining lightning quick runs and fills with powerful rhythms,delicate
melodies, and sensitive playing.
- News-Gazette (Lexington, VA)
"Joseph is
emerging quickly as a major force."
- Swallow Hill Music Association
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