Sounds Of Wood & Steel: A Windham Hill Collection CD

Conceived as a tribute to Taylor guitars, this recording manages to transcend any stereotypes of projects dedicated to the advancement of a business principle or product. That's due to the quality of the performers, the pieces they play, and the passion they bring to them. There's really not a misstep in the bunch. Guitar slingers from Russ Freeman to Leo Kottke, Steve Stevens and Billy Joe Walker are joined by singers such as Vince Gill, Kathy Mattea, Amy Grant and Joe Lynn Turner who eschew voice in favor of guitar. Of particular note is "Java Man" by Michael Hedges. This was the last recording Hedges made before his untimely death in an automobile accident, and Windham Hill founder William Ackerman speaks to his legacy in moving liner notes. Volume II is promised to follow. ~ Ross Boissoneau

Recording information: Blacks Lab, Los Angeles, CA; Cheyenne Mountain Ranch Studios; Double D Studio, Cleveland, TN; Speech and Hearing C.

Photographer: Sonny Mediana.

Arrangers: Larry Hamby; Amy Grant; T.J. Baden; Tim Sparks; Vince Gill.

Personnel: Clint Black (guitar, acoustic guitar); Steve Stevens (guitar, classical guitar, keyboards, programming); Doyle Dykes, Will Ackerman, Jeff Pevar, Joe Lynn Turner, Kathy Mattea, Laurence Juber, Michael Hedges, W.G. Snuffy Walden, Leo Kottke, Bill Cooley (guitar); Tony Franklin (acoustic guitar, acoustic bass); Dominic Genova (acoustic guitar, bass guitar); Billy Joe Walker, Jr., Skip Ewing (acoustic guitar); Stuart Smith (12-string guitar); Pat Regan (keyboards); Michael Rhodes (bass guitar, fretless bass); Eddie Bayers (drums, percussion); Michael Jochum (drums); Brie Howard, Greg Ellis (percussion).

Audio Mixers: Doyle Dykes; Al Schulman; Julian King; Avi Kipper; W.G. Snuffy Walden.