CD Reviews

Voluntary Solitary
(Gillazilla GZ 1001 1994)

Amazon.com
July 17, 2002

Reviewer: A music fan from CA
Voluntary Solitary is one of the most enjoyable CD's that I own. Richard Gilewitz is destined to be pegged as one of the greatest fingerstyle guitarists of our time. The clarity of his playing lets the sheer joy of the music shine through. Voluntary Solitary is full of melodic pieces that will delight anyone who knows what a guitar is. If you enjoy fingerstyle guitar, this CD is a must have.

Creative Loafing
July 21, 1994

"Gilewitz plays charades with his guitar, implying mood and creating impressions that range from the bemused to the slight worried."

DIRTY LINEN - Folk and World Music

In performance, Richard Gilewitz intersperses his guitar playing with so many stories that he almost seems to be a raconteur who's remembered to bring the old six and twelve strings along. Here, only his guitars speak -- and if you have any interest in acoustic guitar at all, you need to listen. He's a fingerpicker, playing his own instrumentals, a piece by Sor, and tunes by Jimmy Page, John Fahey, and others.   -- KD

JAM Reviews - Florida's Music Magazine

Simply put, if you like the sound of an acoustic guitar played well and uncluttered by distracting arrangements and other less important instruments, you'll dig this CD. Great tunes, clean production, marvelous playing and even a dubious critical recommendation by Leo Kottke on the back cover. ("Richard's a weird guy") add up to make this one a winner.

Best Cuts: "Mrs. Firecracker's Place", "Study", (written by his guitar mentor, David Walbert), "Bron-Yr-Aur", (Yes, the Zep tune from Physical Graffiti, "Study in Bm" by Fernando Sor, and the best of the bunch, "Jamaicalina". The last one was written for a friend who "apologized to bugs before she killed them".

Solo acoustic guitar albums, no matter how good, can be mauled by poor production if the guitar is not recorded right. That didn't happen here -- the sound is crystal clear. You can almost smell the guitar wood. This is all Richard Gilewitz, all acoustic guitar, and all good.

Jam Entertainment News - August 19, 1994

Relix Magazine, Vol. 22 No. 1

For anyone that likes complex finger picked guitar music a la Leo Kottke, John Fahey or Jorma Kaukonen, Voluntary Solitary, the first CD by Spring Hill, Florida finger picker Richard Gilewitz should be especially interesting. Gilewitz has been playing throughout the southern states for many years. He's an accomplished player with incredible dexterity and imagination. This is best highlighted in the clear ringing melodic tones of the CD's best original "Jamaicalina". There's also a solid version of Fahey's "Requiem For John Hurt" and Led Zepppelin's "Bron-Yr-Aur".

Mike Skidmore

The Tampa Tribune - Records

Although the hilarious liner notes are enough to draw you in ("We're all out to lunch - we just don't eat at the same place"), Gilewitz keeps you interested with his lovely stylings on the acoustic ax. This album echoes the purity that is solo guitar. Forget the electrics, can the reverberations. There is lushness in simplicity, and songs such as "Study" are enough to make you want to check the concert listings. Gilewitz plays Wednesday night at the Tampa Bay Performing Art Center's Off Center Theater.

Jennifer Barrs