“BEST of 2005” LISTS:
--Nate Dorward, Cadence Magazine
--Stuart Broomer, Jazz House
--Rex Butters, All About Jazz
--Michael Davis, All About Jazz
--James Beaudreau, One Final Note
--John Eyles, All About Jazz
“...One associates Nine Winds with multi-reed man Vinny Golia’s detailed exposition of his various horns. Good to see that Golia is using his imprint for great stuff like this as well.”
--Brian Morton, The Wire
“Exquisite album of solo acoustic guitar...McAuley invests so much feeling in his writing, there is such truth in the performances, that one cannot help being moved by the unusual melodicism of these tunes. Heartily recommended.”
---Francois Couture, All Music Guide
“Jim McAuley turns the guitar into a mood-altering and mind-bending instrument on ‘Gongfarmer 18.’ He makes his instrument hum with excitement while stepping away from rigidity and into an open and free world of music...”
---Frank Rubolino, Cadence Magazine
“...vaporizes notions of what an acoustic guitar can do beautifully. McAuley accomplishes his transformations via unique tunings, blazing harmonic insight and the internal compass of a star sailor...a musician with few peers and innumerable ideas”
---Rex Butters, All About Jazz
“Jim McAuley draws dancing jangles of solar vibration from his acoustic 12-string guitar...buy his new ‘Gongfarmer 18’ and you’ll keep playing it.”
---Greg Burk, L.A. Weekly
“His eclecticism embraces everything from Spanish classical music to 20th century minimalism, blues and folk, Indonesian gamelan and pure improvisation, while his technical prowess allows him to seamlessly blend idioms. Under his touch, each guitar responds the way canvas and paint did to Jackson Pollack, yielding textures, colors, and patterns that reflect the mysterious, frightening, and beautiful logic of a singularly creative mind.”
---Derk Richardson, The Absolute Sound
“***** (FIVE STARS)...if you’re a guitarist this album will floor you. One of my favourite 2005 releases.”
---Nate Dorward, Amazon.com