There is no bass, no keyboards, no drums, no sax, no programming, and no FX box. Earl Klugh’s latest project, Naked Guitar, is a collection of solo guitar performances of standards that spans the decades from the mid to late 20th century from Broadway to the movies to the Beatles.  This is not a party CD.  This is a quiet Sunday afternoon CD.  Remove the distractions around you and sit back and enjoy a CD that has removed all the distractions from itself.  It’s just you and Mr. Klugh’s strikingly beautiful acoustic guitar playing.

The record begins with the gentle swing of “The Night Has A Thousand Eyes” and “Baubles, Bangles and Beads,” followed by the flawlessly executed Flamenco-flavored “Serenata.” “Alice In Wonderland,” along with “Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead” add a light-hearted touch to the CD, while “In The Moonlight,” “The Summer Knows,” “Who Can I Turn To” and “Be My Love” offer up that wonderful romantic touch.  “On A Clear Day” and “All The Things You Are” are both warm and cheerful moments on the album.  Klugh’s take on Lennon and McCartney’s “I Want To Hold Your Hand” is truly unique and inspired, while “Moon River” is one of the sweetest covers of that song I’ve heard.

Closing the project is the album’s only original piece, “Angelina,” and it is perhaps the greatest treasure among the many other treasures on this CD.  Simply beautiful in every way.

Naked Guitar is just that – totally exposed as what it is.  When you strip away everything else, you can’t fake it.  You either have it or you don’t.  Mr. Klugh definitely has it.

- Elizabeth Ware