Counting the Ways (1996)

About this title: Using odd tunings, high-strung and slack-key Hawaiian lap steel set-ups, along with a refined elegance and emotion not often found in guitar solo albums of 2000, Ed Gerhard takes listeners on a lilting and moving journey through some great classics done in new and softly daring ways. Along the path, Gerhard calls on a number of old friends to help him. His pairing of John Lennon and Paul McCartney's "If I Fell" and "In My Life" is brilliant and well-mixed. A dreamy slide down "Can't Help Falling in Love" makes this Elvis favorite an even more tender slow dance. Of Phil Spector's "Spanish ... read more

Tracks:

1. Willy O'Winsbury [Traditional]
2. If I Fell/In My Life [Lennon/McCartney]
3. Malaika [William]
4. Isa Lei [Caten]
5. Maria Elena [Barcelata/Russell]
6. Wild Mountain Thyme [Traditional]
7. Spanish Harlem [Leiber/Spector]
8. My Creole Belle [Hurt]
9. Can't Help Falling in Love [Creatore/Peretti/We]
10. The Water Is Wide [Traditional]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.