The Chris Proctor Collection by Chris Proctor

It's a 74-minute monument to the depth of his original repertoire, and a perfect bookend and companion to his genre-bending 2000 recording of arrangements from across the musical landscape Under the Influence.

Chris has always been known for his remarkable body of original works for six- and twelve-string guitar with their trademark counterpoint and inner voices, his technical wizardry and his pioneering use of the E-bow and guitar mutes. Hearing him re-interpret original songs which span 25 years of compositional and musical growth makes for especially satisfying listening, for the neophyte and established fan alike.

Recorded with state-of-the-art analog and digital gear, and using the revolutionary new HDCD mastering process, The Chris Proctor Collection traverses a broad swath of the landscape of Americana, with Chris' altered tunings and original techniques taking flight on six different Taylor guitars. Twenty-five years of musical experimentation and growth leap to vibrant and satisfying life:

"Late Again," the CD's amazing opening song, begins with a backwards chord and explodes into a rollicking 12-string tour-de-force.

"The Emperor's Choice" puts Proctor's fingerboard-tapping wizardry to work in service of a beautiful ballad, to unusual and plainly emotional effect. Listen to it.

"War Games" uses a Proctor-designed muting device to paint a picture of approaching darkness with an intensity that one normally doesn't associate with solo guitar compositions.

"Interstate " has absorbed parts of two other Proctor compositions and added additional pioneering Ebow™ work, and has emerged as a long and poignant survey of almost continental proportions.

"Seven-oh-four" will make guitarists' hands sweat,

"Hotspot" will just plain knock your socks off, while

"Swept Away" will do just what its title promises.

Proctor ventures effortlessly from tuning to tuning, from slide to tapping, from burnished 6-string counterpoint to powerhouse 12-string pyrotechnics, in a beautiful and coherent package that demonstrates once again why he's regarded as one of the best acoustic guitarist/composers recording and performing today.

Chris's Resume:

Recordings, Publications, DVD's and Videos

Recordings:

The Chris Proctor Collection, Sugarhouse Records, October 2003

Sounds of Wood and Steel III. Windham Hill Records, August 2003

Under the Influence. Sugarhouse Records, October 2000

Only Now. Flying Fish/Rounder Records, March 1997

Travelogue. Flying Fish Records, February 1994

The Delicate Dance/Runoff. CD re-release, Flying Fish Records, June 1993

Steel String Stories. Flying Fish Records, November 1990

Windham Hill Guitar Sampler. Windham Hill Records, May 1988

His Journey Home. Flying Fish Records, October 1988

The Delicate Dance. Flying Fish Records, July 1985

Runoff. Kicking Mule Records, January 1983

Publications and Videos:

Techniques for Contemporary 12-String Guitar. Homespun DVD/Video, June 2003

Fingerstyle 2000. Mel Bay, February 2000

Fingerstyle Guitar Masterpieces. Acoustic Guitar, October 1999

Only Now. Mel Bay, February 1998

Contemporary Fingerstyle Workshop with Chris Proctor. Homespun Video, October 1996

Travelogue. Mel Bay, November 1995

Fingerstyle Magic. Mel Bay, July 1995

Windham Hill Guitar Sampler. Hal Leonard, January 1995

Runoff. Kicking Mule, June 1983

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Endorsements:

Chris plays, endorses, and demonstrates Taylor guitars at clinics across the country. He also endorses GHS strings, Rane acoustic guitar preamps and Alaska Piks.

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