Sonny James - The Guitars Of Sonny James (2024) [Hi-Res]

Review by Greg Adams

"Eres Tu (Touch the Wind)," originally a hit for the Spanish vocal group Mocedades in 1974, was reinterpreted as an easy listening guitar instrumental by Sonny James for his most unusual single release of the '70s. The record's only connection with country music was James' name on the label, but it became a minor country hit nonetheless, and James produced a full-length instrumental album around it, The Guitars of Sonny James. James, whose abilities as an acoustic guitar soloist are very competent, if not often flashy, composed "Kickapoo" and "Theme From Venice." "Apache" is a new recording of the Jorgen Ingmann tune with which James had a minor hit in 1961, and "Paper Roses" is a version of the 1973 hit James produced for Marie Osmond. The Guitars of Sonny James is more similar to 101 Strings than Chet Atkins' most schmaltzy efforts, but the subdued blend of James' acoustic guitar with strings and an occasional vocal chorus is hypnotically alluring and tailor-made for quiet moments of relaxation.