Tom Ball Review of "18 Pieces For Solo Steel String Guitar" @ iTunes aking approximately 16 years to produce an album may seem a little absurd for most, but Tom Ball's '18 pieces for Solo Steel String Guitar' was clearly worth the wait. Ball is known for his work with TV and film, as well as playing some very haunting blues-harmonica side-by-side with Kenny Sultan. The compositions Ball offers his listener on his newest album span a wide range of musical orientations; we find songs from Germany, Paraguay, Brazil, France, Mexico, Spain, and the USA. From the classical work of Leo Brouwer on 'One November Day' to Augustin Barrios' 'Julia Florida' to the more swinging up-tempo arrangements done by Ball himself the listener will find this album musically diverse as well as artistically enriching. The album is not intended to 'rock your world,' as it were, but if you give Ball's music the time and patience any good piece of music deserves, his work will move your soul. Many of the pieces are classics in their own right, so there is a kind of wonderful heritage brought home to the listener. Ball's technique has the unique quality of uniting graceful softness with a commitment to powerful, forward moving finger-picking. 'Variations on Themes by Bittner' features wonderful contrapuntal movement made possible through deep bass notes and middle range harmonics. Filled with all sorts of choice licks and crisp fret action, 'Police Dog Blues' provides a nice contrast to some of the more meditative ballads also available on the album. © Minor 7th One November Day Old Irish Air (Danny Boy) Glory Of Love/Swingin' On A Star Police Dog Blues Ojos Brujos (The Sorcerer's Eyes) (Theme From) Tristesse (Sadness)