Oregon based acoustic guitar expert Don Latarski is what players usually refer to as a musician’s musician. Having shared stages with top players like Mason Williams, Bobby McFerrin and more, Latarski is also the head of guitar studies at the University of Oregon. I first heard Don’s unique approach to solo guitar work on his brilliant 2004 CD Fab 4 On 6, which, along with it’s subsequent volume two follow up offers an all instrumental acoustic guitar tribute to the music of The Beatles. Several more albums were released—including a 2006 trio CD called Rue D’Acoustic recorded with a trio Don worked with from 1993 to 2006—and then in 2010 mwe3.com got back in touch with Don, just in time for the review of his latest solo album entitled Acoustica Funkus. Kicking off with one of my favorite songs of all time—the early '60s jazz classic ”Watermelon Man”, written by genius jazzer Herbie Hancock—the ten track Acoustica Funkus is Don’s self-styled instrumental tribute to funk and bluegrass with a favorable nod to Motown. As a matter of fact, Don actually covers several other Herbie Hancock tracks here including “Cantaloupe Island” and “Chameleon.” Also covered here—along with several Latarski originals are Joe Zawinul’s “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy”, a Miles Davis favorite called “So What”, a Jose Feliciano track called “Affirmation” and last but not least a funky, solo acoustic take on the Average White Band’s “Pick Up The Pieces,” a track heard everywhere back in the mid ‘70s. In lesser hands, this might not have worked as well but Latarski’s unique blend of acoustic stringed instruments bring out the inherent percussive natures of these tracks. With string bass performed by Mark Schneider, Acoustica Funkus features Don solo, in full flight, performing Nashville-tuned guitar, octave guitar, baritone uke, Collings D1A acoustic guitar, 6 string banjo and classical guitar. All in all, Acoustica Funkus is a fine addition to Latarski’s already formidable repertoire and impeccable musical reputation. www.DonLatarski.com

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