Joseph Brenna  

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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