Craig Chaquico Albums (9)
What The Critics Say
When the famed rock guitarist emerged from his years with Jefferson Starship (later Starship) and became a solo artist in the mid-'90s, his popular adult contemporary instrumental sound was anchored in a distinctive vibe he defined with the title of his debut solo album, Acoustic Highway. He was coasting along that road for years before deciding to pick up his blazing electric axe again for his Latin-flavored 2000 hit "Café Carnival." The track's success no doubt inspired him to start mixing acoustic and electric on subsequent projects, and Follow the Sun -- his first non-holiday disc in five years -- blends the best of both sounds. It kicks off with the blazing Latin and blues fired, Santana-like "Luz Da Mae," which in Portuguese (Chaquico's heritage) means "Mother Moon." The next track, "Azores Lisboa," which refers to the Azores Islands and Lisbon, has a similar electric and brassy Latin party vibe which will make the listener wonder if there's a theme taking shape. Turns out, the disc is dedicated to the memories of Chaquico's beloved parents, whose families hailed from Lisbon. There's also a nice tie-in to the past as he uses the first guitar his parents ever gave him on the ambient meditation (featuring acoustic and electric) "The Coast of Orion" and the happy and jangling "Island Breeze." The set can be enjoyed thoroughly even without knowing that emotional element, as it mixes the guitarist's bright and eternally optimistic melodies with playing that is seductive when it needs to be (the soulful, tropical "Fantasy in Paradise") and edgy and crackling soon enough (the robust, urban flowing "Barefoot in the Sand"). Adding a blues-rock flair to everything Chaquico does is his longtime right-hand man, keyboard great Ozzie Ahlers. While all of the originals are compelling, Chaquico makes a few quirky, history-filled cover choices which may puzzle fans a bit. Kenny G's "Songbird" set the standard for the smooth jazz era but is more generic than the unique sound the guitarist centered his own career on. And the original instrumental version of "Lights Out San Francisco" (from 1997's Once in a Blue Universe) is stronger than this pleasant vocal version with singer Rolf Hartley. ~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
As a Grammy-nominated guitarist and former member of the pop/rock group Jefferson Starship, Craig Chaquico has made quite a name for himself. With 20 gold records to his credit and a slew of successful new age and adult alternative hits, Holiday, Chaquico's first ever Christmas CD, spells success in a new musical genre. The recording showcases his legendary musicality and innovative crossover style on both seasonal favorites and inspired originals. In addition to the innovative musical interpretations, the artful lenticular CD cover doubles as a die-cut Christmas tree ornament! A new rendition of "Winterflame" is a standout in a three-song medley, while such favorites as "Angels We Have Heard on High," "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "Silent Night," and "White Christmas" get complete jazz/rock fusion makeovers that draw upon Chaquico's world of influences. "Nonesuch/Ladies Bramzel" features students and a teacher from the Siskiyou Waldorf School in a harp, vocals, and violin ensemble in which Chaquico plays piano. This is among the more enthralling songs on the program and could quite easily become a favorite in youth ensemble repertoires. Overall, Chaquico totally captivates his listeners with the intensity of his guitar and the new arrangements of traditional holiday music ~ Paula Edelstein, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
In 1993, when the former Starship guitarist launched his wildly successful journey into the land of new agey smooth jazz, he traveled an exclusively Acoustic Highway (the title of his first solo disc). He gradually incorporated jazzier ensemble elements, then scored big with the horn-drenched single "Café Carnival," which began on acoustic but evolved into a blistering callback to his heyday as rock guitarist. He travels back to those days even more so this time, playing his explosive electric more than on any other collection and going wild with the production -- to the tune of using 50 different guitars overall. Despite this, there's still a wonderful comfort level for fans who have supported his growth as a solo artist. The feisty Latin jams "El Gato" and "Dia del Zorro" are obvious attempts to follow up "Café Carnival" with similarly tasty exotic excursions. The playful romp "Her Boyfriend's Wedding" starts things off in an optimistic bouncy blues fashion (with the help of keyboardist/partner Ozzie Ahlers' organ), while the confident strut tune "Bobby Sox" finds Chaquico using a fat-bodied guitar from the '50s along with the Hammond B-3 to create a feeling of retro grandeur. The hypnotic "Always With You," featuring a dreamy recurrent vocal title line by April Hendrix, fashions a blend of classical Spanish guitar and cool rock edge, punctuated by Kevin Palladini's punchy sax. For the moody, soulful title track, the guitarist's liner notes urge you to imagine musicians gathering on a stage and jamming cool after hours. Amid the zaniness, it's a thoughtful and welcome oasis. Chaquico's ongoing brilliance at what he does cannot be overestimated. In a genre where so few artists are truly identifiable in one or two notes, he brings freshness, attitude, and an ongoing willingness to dig deeper. ~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide
'Shadow and Light'
Release Date 4/23/2002
Tracks 10
Label Higher Octave
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What The Critics Say
Responding to audiences that have encouraged his dual guitar approach in his live performances, Craig Chaquico features both electric and acoustic guitars on four of the ten songs included on his seventh Higher Octave Music recording, Shadow and Light. The CD offers an exciting blend of romantic ballads, up-tempo jams, and a cover of the jazz classic "Compared to What" with popular saxmen Warren Hill and Jeff Kashiwa. The music on this recording is also about the places people experience between the philosophical dualities of light and darkness in life, a concept that Chaquico explored due to the events in America on September 11, 2001. Together with his band and guest musicians, Chaquico captures the essence of life's pulsating highs and lows on the title track, "Shadow and Light." Its ethereal introduction floats into a melodic guitar line, reminiscent of life's good times, that lingers with you long after the song is over. Ozzie Ahlers' energy on the keyboards provides a totally unique personal accompaniment and elegantly etches another dimension for Chaquico's chord phrasings. In addition to the title track, other great songs deserving special mention include "Could We Fall in Love," for its exceptional experimentation with a 40-piece overdubbed guitar orchestra; "Luminosa," a salsa-flavored radio single, for its vibrancy and buoyant positive feeling; and "Keepers of the Flame," for its spiritual, mystical atmospheres. The program ends with an explosive remix of Chaquico's number one smooth jazz hit, "Café Carnival" (originally released on Panorama), with great saxophone from Kevin Paladini. When compared to Chaquico's 1999 release, Four Corners, this recording tends to emphasize the same attributes that connect Chaquico with his audiences -- heartfelt emotional intelligence and the excitement of his electric and acoustic guitar strings touching his listeners' hearts. ~ Paula Edelstein, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Four Corners works its way backwards through the musical life of this former rock guitarist (Jefferson Starship) and current smooth jazz phenomenon. The disc opens with the sound of a rush of wind leading into the laid-back Russ Freeman composition "The Drifter," which finds the two friends contemplating the universe with swirling, soaring acoustic and electric guitars amid spacy atmospheric sounds and percussive rumbling. Combining a crunchy shuffling hip-hop groove with more organic tribal rhythms behind a cool weave of his guitar and Ozzie Ahlers' bluesy keyboard harmonies, Chaquico explores both the calm and the energy inherent in the color shifts as a "Turquoise Moon" rises over the desert. "Red Rocks" -- featuring the lazy flügelhorn accents of John Halblieb -- and the densely percussive "Arizona Daybreak" also capture that vibe. Then Chaquico invites listeners back to where it all began, the years before he joined Starship when he was listening to their first incarnation, Jefferson Airplane. His abstract approach to "Somebody to Love" requires more than one listen to catch the familiar melody. He and soprano saxman Richard Hardy spin in psychedelic circles around a marching drumbeat hypnosis created by 3rd Force. "Haight Ashbury," no doubt conceived by Chaquico and co-writer Boney James as an ode to San Francisco and flower power, comes across not as a '60s throwback but simply another radio-perfect hit crafted by producer Paul Brown. And while Chaquico's albums usually tackle adult issues like spirituality and ancient explorations, it's touching to see him convey a more innocent childlike wonder on the gentle sway of "A Mother's Heart." ~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide
'Once in a Blue Universe'
Release Date 8/26/1997
Tracks 10
Label Higher Octave
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What The Critics Say
Already one of smooth jazz's best selling artists, guitarist Craig Chaquico is an artist least likely to need any sort of commercial boost; yet his fourth release Once in a Blue Universe sacrifices a bit of his trademark subdued musical spirituality for slick pop elements that seem calculated to increase his stature and sales. Fortunately, he doesn't let these inclusions -- which include appearances by Dave Koz, Richard Elliot, and Peter White; production help from Boney James producer Paul Brown; and two cover tunes -- detract from the buoyant, strolling acoustic flair that dominates his melodies. Then again, the few tunes featuring only Chaquico and the blues/rock touch of keyboardist Ozzie Ahlers are the standouts, reminding listeners of the simplicity and originality of his first two discs. The tandem's throbbing cover of Dave Mason's "Feelin' Alright" perfectly captures their intense yet often playful partnership, as well as their rock roots. Chaquico will no doubt gain fans of more typical pop-jazz fare with his wider palette this time, but none of the additions reveal his true artistry like the disc's best cut, "Indian Springs," a floating, highly atmospheric tribute to the Southwest featuring the graceful Native American flute shadings of Douglas Spotted Eagle. ~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide
'A Thousand Pictures'
Release Date 2/27/1996
Tracks 10
Label Higher Octave
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What The Critics Say
Craig Chaquico has found a nice groove, one that he develops very nicely in this smooth, low-key album. The primary focus is Chaquico's elegant guitar playing, though there are guest spots on the album (Richard Elliot and 3rd Force). The tones are interesting, the overall feeling is a very settled one. The music grabs your attention without resorting to anything outrageous, making for a very enjoyable set. Listeners who own computers with CD-ROM playrs will be able to take advantage of the Enhanced CD portion of the disc, which provides interviews, behind-the-scenes material, and a video for "Sweet Talk." ~ Steven McDonald, All Music Guide
'Acoustic Planet'
Release Date 9/20/1994
Tracks 9
Label Higher Octave
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Acoustic Highway'
Release Date 1/1/1993
Tracks 9
Label Higher Octave
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
After years as lead guitarist for Jefferson Starship, Craig Chaquico makes his solo instrumental debut with Acoustic Highway. The album is filled with uniquely memorable harmonies and emotional guitar melodies which rotate and shine, turning on its own diverse axis through passionate rhythms on "Return of the Eagle," romantic sensual moods of "Summer's End" or the irresistible opening riffs on the first cut, "Mountains in the Mist." Keyboards and percussion are ably handled by co-writer and co-producer Ozzie Ahlers, with all the guitars and stereo guitar sound effects provided by Chaquico. Acoustic Highway features songs that sparkle like finely faceted gems mined from the depths of his musical experience and considerable finesse. ~ Backroads Music/Heartbeats, All Music Guide
