Returning
Guitarist Will Ackerman has often re-recorded his own songs, coming back years later with new interpretations and perhaps more refined techniques.Returning, however, consists entirely of new recordings of songs from the Ackerman archives. The founder of Windham Hill records, this is his first recording off the label since founding the company in 1976. He sold it in 1992, but has continued on it as an artist until now. Cynics might view this as a ploy to retain control of his catalogue, a common practice for artists who jump labels.Returningis thus a greatest hits CD, albeit of all new performances. The playing and recording are sharper here than on those old Windham Hill favorites and Ackerman's compositions have rarely sounded more poignant. "Unconditional" appears even more classical and ruminative than it's original, while the new version of "The Bricklayer's Beautiful Daughter" makes the 1977 version sound antique, like a dusty slack-stringed balalaika from the attic. Drawing from his more plaintive repertoire, Ackerman leaves songs like the bluegrass-tinged "The Pink Chiffon Tricycle Queen" and collaborations withBucketheadbehind. What remains are songs that have become old-friends to Will Ackerman fans, newly polished and slightly refurbished.--John Diliberto