- Rebecca Stuart, reviewer, DallasMusic
El McMeen is not your run-of-the-mill artist sending out demos. He is (dare I say it?) mature, having been married for almost thirty years with four children, and is a lawyer by training. His style of playing makes you glad that you listened to it, and makes you feel richer for having done so. There is a depth to his playing that goes beyond the Celtic nature of his repertoire. In his own words, "the alternating bass approach to guitar playing really appealed to me because although you are playing by yourself, you can play a melody and have a little bass backup." Although he has since moved on from a strict alternating bass technique, that richness and harmony is still very evident in his playing.
In an ironic twist, one of the songs performed by McMeen was originally composed for the accordion! Still, it translates very nicely to the guitar and is one of the lovelier pieces on the recording. "Time Will End" is available on McMeen's latest CD, Acoustic Guitar Treasures.
Not one to be pigeon-holed, McMeen's story is one of evolution and growth. In addition to his comprehensive studies of Celtic music, he also plays folk and sacred music. He even includes a cover of the Eagles' well-known hit, Desperado.
I have to confess that the piece that I was the most excited about hearing was Hyfrydol. For those of us musicians who grew up first and foremost performing in church, hearing hymns is like being at home - they have a special quality that music of our own composition just doesn't possess. Some songs are like being wrapped in your mother's arms and hearing her voice resonating through the rafters in chorus with the rest of the congregation. You feel that swell in your heart and get the goosebumps and know that you are part of something much larger than yourself and your small corner of the world - it is that knowledge that people have sung the same notes and believed the same words for hundreds of years, and that your children's children will know the same hymns by heart.
We are lucky that a man as talented as McMeen did not
decide that one career was enough for him. I cannot speak for his talent as an attorney,
but as far as playing the guitar, McMeen is a master and a fabulous entertainer.