MICHAEL STRUTT IS IMPRESSIVE (headline)…vivid, controlled playing, showing a marked responsiveness to feeling and nuance…a player who embodies both technical dexterity and emotional insight, the guitar became a weaver of spells and a maker of musical delights.
STRUTT GIVES COMPELLING PERFORMANCE (headline)…played with amazing dexterity and excellent control.
…won his audience by a display of sparkling technique and solid musical virtues.
…played with a fine agility and an abundance of color and élan.
Michael Strutt’s strong technique allows the listener to hear every note, every nuance of tone and shading, while his depth of feeling commands the total involvement of the audience. It is the exceptional artist that can so thoroughly capture an audience.
…intense yet understated playing took on a lovely enchanted melancholy that left the audience enraptured.
Michael Strutt showed his technical prowess and ability to convey the feeling and spirit of the work…obviously a guitarist who is well equipped to interpret the works of modern composers.
…a performance that displayed Strutt’s impeccable style to excellent effect. He is a self-assured, cool executant, devoid of flashy mannerisms. He has a way of getting very close to the essential spirit of the music he plays and yet he reveals its secrets in a particularly personal way.
He is unfailingly poetic and musical. Few guitarists achieve such crystalline clarity, freedom from string whistle and maintenance of varied and first class tone.
An accomplished player, with a confident strong and clean sound. Michael Strutt is a player who not only enjoys excellent technical control, but also plays with assured direction and thoughtful interpretation.
Michael Strutt’s obvious and considerable capacity encourages the listener to consider the music in detail. All the more reason for playing it not once or twice but many times. A good and unusual record from Canada.
All the works you performed are splendidly and skillfully realized and I am most happy to be on your record.
Michael Strutt is one of my favorite players. He plays a lot better than many who get far more publicity…beautiful control of color…a terrific CD, well played and well recorded.
With 37 tracks and 12 composers in just over 60 minutes it is surprising how well this album flows. Strutt’s playing and arrangements create a mood of balance and quiet contemplation.
Michael Strutt is highly articulate throughout the recording, playing with a clear, yet sensitive touch.
…a delightful, new, beautifully crafted CD…a masterly collaboration.
The Vancouver Guitar Quartet is excellent, good sound, sense of orchestration, flexible phrasing and needless to say-faultless technique.