Will Ackerman

[IMMusicRulz]

I do listen regularly to a lot of Windham Hill Records (a jazz and new age focused label from the eighties), and thought I would share the labels founder and acoustic guitarist William Ackerman.

His debut, Turtles Navel, came out in 1977 and was a minor, but acceptable hit. It showcases his acoustic folk guitars and funny song titles.



William went on to sign dozens of artists to Windham Hill Records, including Mark Isham, Michael Hedges, George Winston and jazz fusion act Shadowfax. His other album, It Takes A Year, is also an intriguing listen.


Will still continues to record and compose to this day. He owns a small studio in Vermont.

I actually have quite too many Windham Hill Records albums in my collection. But, if you like Al DiMeola, Chet Atkins, Eric Gale or Tommy Emmanuel, you will love the acoustic guitar of William Ackerman.

 

[Boreas]

Longtime fan of both Will and the label's other artists.

 

[knopflerfan]

Big fan of Will Ackerman - highly underrated for his playing and compositions.

 

[rand z]

I love(d) Alex de Grasse on Windham Hill.

Lots of good acoustic guitar, opened tuned, fingerstyle stuff there...

It holds up well.

imo

 

[Dan R]

Another fan here. "The Bricklayer's Beautiful Daughter" is wonderful.

 

[Jupiter]

I got fairly deep into Windham Hill back in the day because of Michael Hedges, which led me to William Ackerman, George Winston, Shadowfax, etc.

 

[Dik Ellis]

We have a number of Windham Hill Winter chill albums. We only play them during the Christmas holidays. A nice change from the usual Christmas classics.

 

[frank a]

I used to love the Windham Hill samplers!

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

When I first started collecting vinyl about 3 decades ago, I used to buy WH records for about a $1 apiece. Love the atmospheric nature of the music & the quality was first rate.

 

[Nahtabot]

Yes, Windham Hill recordings are first class. Just pickup a couple of Nightnoise CD's.
Narada and Higher Octave Music are also good sources for 90's chill music.

Alex de Grassi also has material on the Novus label. Good thread, OP!

 

[mycroftxxx]

I got fairly deep into Windham Hill back in the day because of Michael Hedges, which led me to William Ackerman, George Winston, Shadowfax, etc.

The first time I saw Michael Hedges live was 1986, at the Majestic Theater in Dallas. It was a double bill with another Windham Hill artist, Liz Story. She finished her set (which was quite good), then introduced Hedges as “and now, the rowdier side of Windham Hill…” He came out stomping his feet, playing very percussively, and launched into All Along the Watchtower…fantastic!

 

[Jupiter]

The first time I saw Michael Hedges live was 1986, at the Majestic Theater in Dallas. It was a double bill with another Windham Hill artist, Liz Story. She finished her set (which was quite good), then introduced Hedges as “and now, the rowdier side of Windham Hill…” He came out stomping his feet, playing very percussively, and launched into All Along the Watchtower…fantastic!

He does a jammin version of Come Together too

I heard somebody say once he was like if you took a musical genius who had never seen a guitar played before and put him in a room with for a few weeks to just kinda figure it out

His death in 1997 is a real sad story btw

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

WA stepped back from WH when the label became too big for him to manage.

 

[mycroftxxx]

He does a jammin version of Come Together too

Indeed! I think that was his set-closer every time I saw him. Brilliant musician and performer.

Back to the main topic of this thread…Ackerman I never saw live but appreciated his recordings, and the label managed to get some worthy acts a decent label fir a while.

 

[Bill Sheehan]

Another fan here. "The Bricklayer's Beautiful Daughter" is wonderful.

Beautiful song, Dan. And I always thought this was just the coolest title for a song!

I must admit, at first I didn't care much for Will, my first exposure having been when I bought his CD called "Sound of Wind Driven Rain." I think that was because I was expecting something more "chops-oriented." And then little by little, I realized that this is a guy who prefers to "make tears fall rather than make jaws drop." I find his music so calming now.

 

[Digital Larry]

Living in Palo Alto starting around 1980 lots of people had Ackerman's LPs and I had the opportunity to see Ackerman, DeGrassi, Hedges, and a guy named Tom Smith perform several times. Prior to that I had been listening to fingerstylists like John Renbourn, Stefan Grossman, and Pierre Bensusan.

Hedges was leaps and bounds my fave of the WH crew.

 

[archetype]

The Sound of Windblown Rain album by Will Ackerman.

When my late wife was in her final evening, after hours of silence she suddenly said the word "music" and I knew exactly what she wanted and why. She wanted me to play that CD to occupy her mind before she left. I can't listen to it, now.

According to his Web site, a lot of people have died listening to his music.

 

[Bill Sheehan]

The Sound of Windblown Rain album by Will Ackerman.

When my late wife was in her final evening, after hours of silence she suddenly said the word "music" and I knew exactly what she wanted and why. She wanted me to play that CD to occupy her mind before she left. I can't listen to it, now.

According to his Web site, a lot of people have died listening to his music.

That is inspiring, Archetype. Sounds like she was a wonderful person. Hoping you're doin' okay.

 

[Digital Larry]

I did attend a "Windham Hill Guitar" show at the Great American Music Hall once approx 1982. I think it was Daniel Hecht, Alex DeGrassi, and Will Ackerman. They must have had an image consultant as each guy came out in a flannel shirt. They were probably all carpenters too.

I know that Will closed the show with the uptempo "Last Steam Engine Train" which is reminiscent of Leo Kottke. Oh, I just looked it up - apparently it was written by Leo. Other than that it was about three hours of dreamy impressionistic stuff and I don't think I was the only one nodding off by the end.

 

[schmee]

I remember having one of Will's CD's back in the day. Also George Winston. I think I saw Will live in the 90's at Seattle's Bumbershoot.