Artist description An instrumental guitar CD featuring virtuoso guitarists Steven Hopp and Richard Houser. An exciting angle on progressive jazz and new-age fusion, with an expressive variety on this CD that blends classical guitar tradition, modern jazz, acoustic duet, new age, rock, and even Eastern-European folk. The unifying theme on this CD is that all songs are of well-composed and performed guitar music.

Music Style Instrumental Guitar

Similar Artists Acoustic Alchemy, Lara and Reyes, Larry Carlton

Group Members Steven and Richard have over 50 years of guitar playing experience between them! This CD is the third album-length project by these two artists, and represents the very best of their collaboration. They have played as a duet for twelve years, and the interplay of styles and well coordinated expertise are unexcelled in this music collection.

Instruments Guitars, Balalaika, Percussion

Albums Cosmic Buffoonery (1993), Wandering Zulu Brothers (1995), Fingers Crossed (1998)

Press Reviews "This is an exquisite album, which will appeal especially to music fans who appreciate a wide variety of musical settings and tone colors, with the acoustic guitar acting as the cohesive element throughout the album...Hopp and Houser subtly draw the listener into their acoustic aesthetic." -Dan McAvinchey "The virtuosity is readily apparent ... The playing was appealing in the way that all music that comes out of conviction and passion is appealing." - Dave Marsh "This is the one CD I'd take with me to a desert island -- if I absolutely couldn't take the guitarists instead!" -Barbara Kingsolver, author Review from The Tucson Daily Star: "Fingers Crossed," Steven Hopp & Richard Houser. Vireo Music. An album of guitar duets, "Fingers Crossed" boasts more variety, charm and musicality than the usual sort of New Age crossover recordings that litter the "contemporary instrumental" bins in stores. From the wickedly speedy title track to the jaunty, bluesy bite of "In the Grease," Hopp and Houser prove to be virtuosos who don't simply indulge in showing off their chops. They create mood and drama and are adept at titling their material. The light, jazzy "Insouciant" is quite so. And the laid-back, Sunday morning lounge of "Couch and Coffee" brings to mind exactly that. We hear Eastern European lyricism in "Kobarid." And the balalaika-guitar showdown that is "Droshky" also hints at an Appalachian lullaby. The fellows know how to rock, too, as they prove with the soaring, gently psychedelic "Cosmic Buffoonery." Estimable, this.

Location Tucson, AZ - USA

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