Edward Gerhard (classical guitarist) - Night Birds. Reckless Records (of Portsmouth, New Hampshire) RK-1919 stereo 12" LP record album. Released 1987. Condition: Record is VG++. Cover is VG++. Comments: With musical inspirations ranging from Andrés Segovia to Mississippi John Hurt, Ed Gerhard has created a ?guitar voice? of his own that is recognized and praised worldwide. Known for his gorgeous tone and compositional depth, Gerhard can move a listener with a single note. Scott Alarik of the Boston Globe said it best when he wrote ?Gerhard does not write instrumentals. He writes songs only a guitar can sing.?


Since his acclaimed debut album Night Birds (chosen by Boston Globe Critics? Poll, Top Ten Albums Of the Year) was introduced in 1987, Ed has been noticed far outside the borders of New England, where he moved from his native Philadelphia in 1977. Shortly after the album?s release, Windham Hill Records included Ed on its Guitar Sampler (Vol.1). One of the highlights of the over aquarter-of-a-million-selling Sampler, ?The Handing Down? is the extended third movement of the Night Birds composition, ?Suite.? His release Christmas was chosen as ?...the season?s Best Folk Holiday Recording? by the Boston Globe. His 1993 release Luna, made many top ten lists, including Record RoundUp Critics? Top Ten Albums of the Year. The superior audio quality of Luna lead both Neumann and Mackie Designs, two of the world?s most respected manufacturers of professional audio and recording equipment to ?endorse? the recording.

Ed began playing guitar at 14, after marveling at Andrés Segovia on television. Later on, the music of guitarist John Fahey pointed him toward experimentation with open tunings and inspired him to begin composing guitar music of his own. As a result, what distinguishes Ed?s music is his inventive use of open tuning, which allows a variety of color from one composition to the next. Melodic but free from clichés, his playing goes in unexpected directions. Whether his precise, yet lush sound conveys classic sensibilities or inflections of blues, he gracefully imparts his own distinctive touch. Ed?s agility on his instrument shines through on every tune, but as Seacoast music critic Larry Etscovitz emphasizes, ?never for mere technical show, always in the service of beauty.? ?It isn?t about ?virtuoso guitar playing?,? says Ed, ?It?s the music that is important.?