Solo acoustic guitar finger stylist and composer

12 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Smooth Jazz, FOLK: Folk Blues



Details:
Here it is, John's new CD! 12 more original offerings for the connoisseur of acoustic guitar music from master guitarist and composer, John Westmoreland. No 70's cover songs here, only 'Hand Picked' original tunes. Give it a listen and you will hear a truly gifted artist at his best.
-RC
In the early 1800's, Spanish and Mexican caballeros were brought to the Hawaiian islands to help the Paniolos (Hawaiian cowboys)with there growing herds of cattle. Along with them came the guitar, which the Hawaiians quickly adapted to their own musical style by loosening the strings to create a variety of tunings known as 'slack key' guitar.
On this recording, I have used several tunings, including a slack key one (ccegce) on Paniolo and Manoa. Other tunings used here include standard (ebgdae), drop d (dbgdae) and (edeg#be).
Two tunes,'Leo's lament' and 'Metamorphosis', were done on a 12-string (Taylor #555), and one, 'Requiem', on a nylon string (Alvarez). The rest were played on an assortment of 6-string acoustics (Goodall, Guild, Taylor, Larrivee and Ron Jackson).
I am often asked how it is that I am able to write so many tunes. I am never quite sure of an answer to this question. To my recollection, I have never sat down with a guitar with the intention of writing a tune. Yet, somehow it seems to happen. On the other hand, given my inherent dislike for rote practice, I usually don't sit down with the intention of playing any particular tune either. Rather, I simply sit down and play. Whatever thoughts or images happen to be in mind seem to come out in a series of notes and chords that I end up linking into some form of melody or coherent tune. It's just a natural process for my introverted mind. -JW