Wall Matthews’ recordings have received consistently positive and thoughtful reviews from critics, who praise his technical skill, stylistic range, and the emotional depth of his compositions. Here are some highlights from various reviews.
Spine River: The Guitar Music of Wall Matthews (1967–1981) (Tompkins Square 2020)
Mojo Magazine (★★★★):
“Rare and unreleased tracks from 1967-1981 by the master guitarist behind 70’s US folk collective Entourage. ‘Spine River’ moves from rough acoustic picking to Robbie Basho-style open C ragas, and bright melodic suites that suggest Ralph Towner’s ECM jazz, stripped of its trimmings and left out in the woods to weather and age.”
Dusty Groove:
“Sublime solo guitar work… Matthews has a great sound here – a solo acoustic mode that’s filled with experimental elements, but also very down to earth – part of the 60’s legacy of Robbie Basho and John Fahey, but also graced with a chromatic sensibility that points the way towards the direction of William Ackerman… a beautiful set of tracks that should get Wall a much larger place in the acoustic underground.”
Uncut:
“There’s a peculiar through-line in his compositions, even as they take in elements of traditional American melodies and country blues; they can be lush and lyrical, as with the spider-web dance of ‘Roping 2 (Duet Version)’, but also craggy and rough.”
KLOF Mag:
“The variety of acoustic guitar styles and moods that fit across this two-sided forty-two-minute album will amaze you… The whole album is endlessly fascinating and a splendid example of the guitar playing prowess of Wall. Tunes like ‘Spine River’ demonstrate his ability to write a piece that is beautiful to hear and played with a minimum of fuss… a perfect way to end such an unusual, diverse album of music from the significantly talented Wall Matthews.”
Progress Review Blog:
“Just beautiful, and nothing like it can ever be heard today, in my opinion. The classical education combined with the aspiration for pure artistic beauty-speechless…
Musician Magazine:
“…a phenomenally capable musician…but, in the end, his talents as a composer and a melodist make this an album worth listening to, not simply hearing.”
Playboy Magazine:
“Defies categorization… we’ve listened a dozen times and haven’t begun to tire of it… wonderfully lyrical and moody.”
Insight: “an excellent release that thoroughly defies categorization. Acoustic guitar combined with violin, viola, cello, and soprano sax. This deeply evocative, emotionally rich, yet intellectually stimulating music reaches into the fiber of your being… rural Americana meets minimal acoustic impressionistic jazz…”