CD Reviews - GuitarNation

August 2002 - www.guitarnation.com/cdreviews.wynn.htm 

John Wynn, "Feels Like Home, Lone Prairie Records, US

Poetry, pure and simple. The guitar playing on this CD is sheer poetry. The music flows softly, gently and sweetly; even the flamenco piece! Delicate and sensitive guitar playing are showcased on this beautiful CD by John Wynn. You can almost hear the emotion John puts into each song.

Brilliant musicianship makes this one of the most enjoyable, sensitive and poetic CD's that I have heard. You don't have to be a guitar fan to appreciate this CD, and, if you are a guitar fan at all, you will love John's steel-string fingerstyle playing-guaranteed! This CD will be left in my player for a LONG time.

Here are a few small mp3 sound samples for you to enjoy. (1) is from the title track "Feels Like Home" (2) is from "Walking With Michael", on the CD, and, (3) is from a duet with Doug Smith of an old Fleetwood Mac tune (not on CD).

Heartfelt Strings

McKinney Messenger – Friday, November 16, 2001 – www.mckinneymessenger.com

By EDWARD PEREZ

Staff Writer

McKinney guitarist John Wynn’s latest CD “Feels Like Home” offers a comforting blend of folk-type melodies and classically structured harmonies.

An all-acoustic CD, “Home” feels like, well, home.  While this CD may not play well for our Northern neighbors, who could benefit from Wynn’s gift of harmonic solace, “Home” bodes well on Southern ears.

The entire CD offers releasing, meditative and reflective tunes, almost half of which are original compositions and all of which project a laid-back, not-in-a-hurry flavor.

With each tune, pictures of children playing and grandparents rocking on porch swings sipping fresh-squeezed lemonade abound.

And while all 18 tunes ring familiar in terms of similar style and color, Wynn blends in just enough variety to keep things moving.

Most of the tunes are dedicated to friends and family members.  Yet Wynn includes a few classical pieces from composers such as Carulli and Giuliani, as well as a couple of religious tunes.

Besides the title song, which establishes the mood of the CD with style and substance, it’s the third track that really stands out.

Titled “As Estrela Ve Vila Real,” Wynn’s original composition and only Latin-flavored song, was inspired by a trip to Spain and Portugal.

In the liner notes, Wynn states “Soon we found ourselves outside under a perfect starry sky overlooking the twinkling lights of the village of Vila Real, swapping American finger-pickin’ for Brazilian rhythms late into the night.”

It’s a credit to Wynn’s consistent style that “As Estrela Ve Vila Real” adds spice to the overall sound of the CD yet stays within the established “finger-pickin’” universe.

In addition to the Spanish-inspired track, Wynn offers background on eight other tunes:  “Feels Like Home,” “Song for a Friend,” “Waltz for Julia,” “Amanda’s Song,” “Song for Kate,” “Walkin’ with Michael,” “The Samaritan’s Prayer,” and “Back Porch Rocker.”

Like a true southerner, Wynn recounts his stories and composes his tunes with heartfelt emotion.

“If you listen carefully, maybe you’ll hear the sounds I hear – creaking porch planks, bees buzzing, sizzling bacon,” writes Wynn.  You might even hear Uncle Majia strumming his old guitar as we sang along, told stories, and laughed the night away.”

Wynn, a Florida native, studied classical guitar in college and currently owns McKinney Guitar Studio located on the historic downtown square.

For information on his CD visit www.johnwynn.com.

Last modified: November 05, 2008