Guitar Fingerstyle 2

A splendid blend of technique, stealth melodies, and frothy imagination, Guitar Fingerstyle 2 delightfully cherry-picks selections from 15 individual recordings, 10 from outside the Narada catalog. Executive producers Artie Traum (who opens the disc with a breezy, blue-tinged duet with Laurence Juber) and Michael Sullivan top-load this engaging package with a series of clever, note-dense productions that alternately charm and bedazzle listeners, smartly articulating the earthy appeal of the finger-style craft. Particularly noteworthy: "Saturn" from Dean Magraw, a fairly rollicking duet with mandolinist Peter Ostroushko (Prairie Home Companion), and "Old Growth" from Stephen Bennett, a bluesy, bottlenecked mini-symphony of whimsy on harp guitar. The disc loses some steam during the second half, favoring a more laid-back approach, yet overall its rewards are ample for both casual listeners and demanding finger-style devotees. --Terry Wood