Features:" 'Speechless' will leave you with a sense that this is not Bill Hammond's first, nor his final, solo guitar album. Bill 'sings' through his guitar, and his arrangements are the careful and deliberate orchestration of six strings. ... Although his arrangements of existing tunes are very meaningful and well executed, I feel his original compositions have always been his strong suit. From the opener, 'Fall Creek,' to my personal favorite, 'Georgia's Kafe,' Bill has captured a little bit of the magic that can only be found when an acoustic guitar is played at the highest musical level."
- Tim Alexander, solo guitar recording artist, Harrisburg, Pa.
"Finally, an instrumental guitar recording that appears to be made not with other guitarists in mind. Bill Hammond's lyrical approach feels like a 'slice of life.' ... I recently had occasion to wend my way through western Wisconsin. Along the highway near Eau Claire I noticed a road sign for 'Fall Creek.' 'Hmmm,' I thought, 'that's the opening track to that Hammond CD.' Then I remembered having read that Hammond is originally from that neck of the woods. Well, things fell into place. And the real nature of those lyrical compositions suddenly drove home. Hammond's compositions have the feel of real because he draws from a model."
- John Bauman, Warsaw, Ind., potter and musician
"Too often the term 'acoustic instrumental guitar' conjures up the image of a Windham Hill clone playing uninspired hyperspeed slap 'n' tap riffs, or slow, droning fingerpicking exercises drenched in chorus and reverb. I'm happy to report that Bill Hammond is a refreshing exception to that trend, and in a big, big way. Blessed with a technique that doesn't need to hide behind processed effects or flashy gimmicks, Hammond lets the natural sound of his instrument shine through on every tastefully played track of 'Speechless.' ... Every note Hammond plays belongs to the song, never the opposite. ... His confidence can be felt on every track, but that confidence never lets the ego take over. Instead, it keeps the ego locked safely away, so each song can be heard exactly as it should be."
- Don Henderson, singer/songwriter/recording artist, Huntsville, Ala.
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