Review Text
So, What's Unique about Stephen Bennett? The testimony of concert-goers is that his work is the product of both mind and heart, intellectually challenging and emotionally satisfying - - and it is deeply personal, even as it is universal. Listeners have a feeling that they have stepped into the world of the musician, and for a short moment in time, there are only the two of them there. Says reviewer Kim Korman Brown, with the World Community Network in Norfolk, Virginia, 'With his ear near the body of the harp guitar, Mr. Bennett gave the impression of a father cradling a newborn baby . . . His performance was imbued with heart and grace.' Joe Morgan, producer of a Texas Guitar Festival, writes, 'His music . . . draws the listener in. He has the ability to make you feel as though you are a part of the music he is making. There are many amazing guitar players that are not able to make that statement. . . . he's also one of the nicest people I've ever known. That comes through in his music as well.' Want to know what his fans say? About the Performer 'Stephen Bennett is a world class guitarist! He is a virtuoso player on the six-string guitar and the harp guitar. He is an important part of our Chet Atkins Appreciation Society Convention every year in Nashville. He is a wonderful composer and arranger, and I am sure you will be amazed at his music! Mark Pritcher, President, Chet Atkins Appreciation Society, 12/9/02 'He has come to be known as an acoustic guitar master . . . Bennett offers a variety from fiercely flat-picked fiddle tunes, to delicate fingerstyle arrangements of anything from the Beatles to Tchaikovsky, with thoughtful expression, melodic inventiveness, and impeccable control over the instrument.' -Walnut Valley Reviews, 2002 'Bennett plays in an insistently expressive manner with a precise, vigorous attack and flawless timing. . . He bends, stretches and wrings out simple, direct melodies on the ballads and can fire off convoluted phrases that string together all manner of syncopated, hammered-on and pulled off single notes, harmonics and crosspicked arpeggios on diminished runs, chromatic scales and suspended major and minor ninth chords on the faster tunes.' -Walnut Valley Reviews, 1989 'Count me a fan. It's amazing to me that the man can produce so many beautiful notes without obviously moving his fingers. I am mesmerized. I love Stephen's stage presence. He's a consummate musician and gentle humorist who's sensitive and accessible to his audience. He can play a piece so poignantly that there are audible sniffles throughout the hall, then with just a subtle shift in tempo and some tricky fingering he can make us all chuckle - - a musician magician. And he's right: under certain stage lights his hair does look a little gray. Simply amazing. -J. Holley Watts, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia, 11/15/02 About the Composer/Arranger 'His own compositions are great, and his arrangements of well-known tunes are refreshing, full of new ideas; it seems as if he has composed these songs anew.' - Bernd Weber, German guitar festival promoter, 11/28/02 'His compositions are so beautiful, filled with great emotion and great sensitivity. He is one of those musicians who serve the music, and only the music.' -Regis Yagoubi, President, Guitar Picking Association, Douai, France 'His original compositions are pieces of real art. When you become familiar with them, you feel the best addiction you can ever feel: you can't leave them behind. You need to keep them with you as good companions who help you walk through your days with that positive attitude that let's you face life as something that's always worth the living.' -Pierpaolo Adda, Music Journalist and festival promoter, Italy, 11/18/02 About the Teacher 'The DVFJA hosted one of it's best workshops with the awesomely talented Stephen Bennett . . .' -DVGFA, 2002 'Stephen is a wonderful, gifted performer and a great teacher. All the members of the guitar workshop
