Celtic Music for Guitar (Book&CD)

Rating:
Summary: Almost Excellent
Review: For any "intermediate" (classical) guitarist interested in adding Celtic music to his repertoire, this book is ideal. Alexander's arrangements resonate and the fingering is entirely reasonable, though I have found slight improvements on some pieces. (Following the tablature on at least one tune should require dropping the low E to D, but it isn't indicated, which could be frustrating for those who don't read music.) I am a big fan of Alexander's arrangements, but I wish he wouldn't include his own compositions (his variations are appropriate) in works entitled "Renaissance" or "Celtic music." True, his additions are stylistically accurate, but the typical buyer expects exclusively authentic pieces.

Rating:
Summary: Not so good
Review: Most of the songs in this book are really simple. I was expecting something more complicated (it doesn't have to be hard to play...take Classical Gas for example... it's an easy piece but it sounds complex). Next time put some samples of the songs in the book online, or an "intermediate" or "beginner" indicator.

Rating:
Summary: great tunes, great arrangments.
Review: This is an excellent collection of pieces for the guitar. The tunes range from the quietly melancholy to ripping dance music. The arrangements and fingerings make sense, the editors variations add that little extra to some excllent tunes, and heartland air is beautiful. The only thing lacking from this book is something that says: now stop playing, go eat, sleep and do your work. A great book.