Earl Klugh

In 2005 Earl Klugh recorded Naked Guitar, which stripped off all the studio gloss and just let his acoustic six-string do the talking. On this 2008 set, Klugh brings back a full band sound yet keeps the sense of intimacy intact. Though primarily a superb Spanish-style guitarist (check out "Venezuelan Nights" and "The Toy Guitar"), Klugh also excels at a jazzier style here. He puts a bossa nova spin on Thelonious Monk's "Bye Ya" and goes for a Wes Montgomery crossover vibe on his reading of the standard "My Foolish Heart" (with Wes' old arranger Don Sebesky on board).