Tommy Emmanuel's latest CD The Mystery is awesome. No wonder when asked about what he thought of Tommy Emmanuel, a friend of mine said he is a "monster guitar player".

Without doubt Tommy is a virtuoso guitarist. But when you listen to his playing, you hear beautiful music flowing through. This CD is a collection of beautiful music throughout. Whether you're a guitarist or not, you'll love this CD just for the awesome music. If you're a guitarist, you'll aspire to play like him.

With his Gameshow Rag/Cannonball Rag rendition, you can't help tapping along expecting the rest of the repertoire in the CD to be similarly lively instrumental pieces.

But, the CD is a wonderfully balanced presentation with pieces that display lively virtuosity with others that are contemplative, emotional, thoughtful and ... mysterious, as the title "The Mystery" alludes to. It is a truly beautiful musical experience.

There is even a vocal duet "Walls" (yes, Tommy can sing!) with his partner Elizabeth Watkins that provided a perfect interlude amongst the pure instrumental delights. 

The tracks on the CD are:

- Cantina Senese (Tommy Emmanuel)

- Gameshow Rag/Cannoball Rag (Tommy Emmanuel/Merle Travis)

- The Mystery (Tommy Emmanuel)

- Cowboy's Dream (Tommy Emmanuel)

- Walls (Pam Rose/Randy Sharp/Mary Ann Kennedy)

- Lewis & Clark (Tommy Emmanuel)

- The Diggers' Waltz (Tommy Emmanuel)

- Antonella's Birthday (Tommy Emmanuel)

- And So It Goes (Billy Joel)

- That's the Spirit (Tommy Emmanuel)

- Footprints (Tommy Emmanuel)

- Keep it Simple (Tommy Emmanuel) 

A finger stype guitarist inspired by the legendary Chet Atkins (who became one of Emmanuel's biggest fans, called him "one of the greatest players on the planet and gave him the title c.g.p. - certified guitar player), he can simultaneously play multiple parts, much like a pianist does with his left and right hands. But his astounding technique isn't just for show;Tommy uses it to organically blend folk, country, jazz, and other influences in his highly personal, emotive compositions. 

He's no stranger to awards and high accolades. Emmanuel recorded with Chet Atkins on 1997's Grammy-nominated album The Day Finger Pickers Took Over the World, and he's had the honor of performing alongside such other living legends as Eric Clapton, Joe Walsh, Stevie Wonder and Les Paul. He has also garnered 2 ARIA Awards (Australia's version of the Grammy Awards) for "Best Adult Contemporary Album," he's earned four Platinum and Gold albums in his homeland, he's been called one of the "Top 3 Guitarists of All Time" according to a reader's poll in Acoustic Guitar magazine and in 2005, he received the "Album of the Year" and "Thumb Picker of the Year" awards as well as an induction into the Thumb Pickers Hall of Fame in Kentucky.