The barrage of reissue material from the major labels is well worth investigating when it brings up such bargain gems as this one. The two discs are fully packed with 41 selections from the recording career for Columbia/Sony of probably the world’s finest classical guitarist - over two hours of great music. While mostly solo guitar works, there are excerpts from concertos by Vivaldi and Rodrigo among others. The Australian-born guitarist has been heard in scores for such films as The Deer Hunter and A Fish Called Wanda, and some of his most recent albums have explored world music cultures in an effort similar to that of cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Most of the tracks come from the 90s and more recently, although a couple are from as early as l975.

Many familiar guitar favorites such as Recollections of the Alhambra and pieces by Satie and Bach are in the collection, but it also abounds in unique choices such as the theme from the film The Mission, a Courante by Handel, and an original piece by follow guitarist Andrew York. There are two originals by Williams (as well as the theme from Schindler’s List by that other John Williams). William’s swinging performance of Charlie Byrd’s 3 Blues for Classic Guitar had me smiling ear to ear - this musician is nothing if not versatile! If you’d like to know more about him, and see a list of all the 41 selections in the set, check out his own web site

www.johnwilliamsguitar.com