Acoustic Alchemy

The 7pm show started at 8:12pm. Not good. Then, the sound was not balanced. This may have been partly due to the venue sound system. The keyboard was to low in the mix. Great bassist but you only heard half of what he played!! So, the overall sound only gets a three star rate. That being said, I've been a fan for many years so I enjoyed the players and the songs!

AA was excellent. Close and personal in the venue was special. Would have loved at least one encore song, but none to be had. Would go again and again, They were great

Great show with a great sound system at the venue. Mix of famous hits of the past and soon to be released songs was great. Greg and Miles were exceptional on lead guitars. Greg and Gary did one of the best well synchronized bass guitar/drums solos I've seen. Fred's keyboard solos were very emotional inspiring.

With the general atmosphere of BBKings, soft jazz played during a pre-show dinner. Dala, a Canadian duo, with a similar sound to Jewel, offered lyrics that made me want to hear more. They delivered. Here's to hoping Dala goes places. As for Acoustic Alchemy, as they took their music and made it new to an audience that walked in thinking they knew the music. With improvisation and a general bright atmosphere created by the unique sound of the instruments, I have never seen such passion pooled into the playing of an instrument. With that passion came a unique sound that livened up the stage and crowd.

ALWAYS a great show...never a sour note...energy, passion, good humor, obvious is their love of music and an appreciation of its power to connect to the audience.

Greg, Miles & the gang played their hearts out. It's always worth the trip to see them. Wish they would play in New Jersey? Looking forward to some new material from them soon! God Bless & All the Best to Them! On another note , my prayers go out to Greg the drummer who lost his daughter not too long ago!

The Rhythm Room continues to be a funky venue. Arriving about an hour early to wait in line, we lucked out and had bar stool seats with a table top in perfect view of the band. So glad they do not allow smoking in the bar anymore. The servers are friendly and kept us happy. The crowd was good, seemingly most in the 50 age group. The band played all the favorites for 1 1/2 hours or so. It was a good show! The sound was not great, however, not terrible either...just could have been better. Our party of 6 had a great time. We stopped at Sandy's BarBQ nearby before the concert.

Acoustic Alchemy were great...very talented musicians. The drummer and bass player brother team were also very gifted. What an intimate venue. Not a bad seat in the house. I would reccomend the Rhythm Room to anyone.

I've seen this band before and followed their music for years. It's 10 years or more since the passing of Nick Webb, and although his unmistakable legacy lives on, and his spirit rings through each note, Miles Gilderdale has picked up the baton and run with it, with individual style and skill, but still allowing the echoes of the founder ring thorugh with respect and love. There's something completely special about the Rhythm Room in Phoenix. Bands that would play arenas arrive to link with an audience barely breaking three figures. It's an intimate club where you can sit with your feet on the front of the stage and experience concerts face-to-face that would otherwise only provide a view of the band on a big screen and stick figures in the distance. In fact the intimacy is such that one really becomes part of the experience rather than partaking of it. Acoustic Alchemy were really in the moment, I don't think the smiles ever left the faces of the Grainger Brothers on Bass and Drums. Greg and Miles out front were completely on the same wavelength and the venerable Mr White - ah Fred - your orchestrations are fabulous. One could be a little disappointed by the sound system at the Rhythm Room, but with all its faults, the night was magical. Miles' work with Line6 has produced a sound that is distinctive, not perfect, but real, and certainly an exact match for the work being done. Greg's authenticity on the nylon strings rang through, and the back line knew exactly what was required and delivered it with aplomb. All-in-all a fabulous night, and I hope and pray that Acoustic Alchemy consider the Rhythm Room as a second home when next travelling across the South-West.

My wife, daughter and I saw AA last Thursday night in Ponte Vedra. 6th row, just a few seats off the middle. Everything about it was awesome... from their music (gorgeous music, I've listened to them for over 25 years) to their playing (their technical prowess is unquestionable) to the live concert sound (well mixed, just the right volume!). We had the chance to meet with them afterward, get a poster signed by each of the five, and get a picture with them. It was REALLY nice of them to take a bit of time with us and answer a couple of our questions. I'm not usually a fanboy, but to have the chance to talk to the keyboardist about controllers and plugins? Wow... amazing.

Acoustic Alchemy was incredible as always! This was our third time seeing the band and in the great small venue it was great!

Simply amazing. Such talent and music that touches the soul. Their music is timeless. Need them to return to South Florida more often. Love their new CD. Thoroughly enjoyed the concert. Will always be a huge fan.

The music was fantastic and each band member is great in his own right. I've been a fan for many years and it was great finally hearing them live.

This was our first time seeing this group and our first time at Ponte Vedra Hall. We expected a mellow evening and were pleasantly surprised by an energetic performance in an intimate setting. Acoustic Alchemy has the range to span from light acoustic guitar to funky fusion. Excellent overall.

Acoustic Alchemy still has got it 30+ years later. Maybe even got better. They played non-stop with a good mix of old and new. Really rocked the Ponte Vedra Cultural Center with some highly electricguitar riffs, too. All individually talented musicians with a very tight sound. Enjoyed the venue, too. Nice to have a glass of wine and be so close to the musicians instead of in the nose-bleed section of other venues. Price was excellent, too, compared to other venues. A peak experience...

Wow!!!!!!!! I ve seen these guy"s the last 3 times they have been in our area,and honestly,can't wait to see them again.It was obviously a smaller crowd than what they were used to,but it did'nt seem to matter.They feed off each other,their music is alive and crisp,and a joy to listen to and watch.Sitting on the front row did'nt leave me with ringing ears,just very appreciative of an evening with some great musicians.Its why I love music so.GREAT!!!!!!

Love this band and seeing them in person was fantastic. Very talented musicians with an incredible sound.

My wife and I have listened to Acoustic Alchemy for almost 20 years, when we were living in Africa. We haven't bought one of their CDs since 2007 and, frankly, I didn't know they were still together but when I saw they were appearing at Birchmere, we jumped at the chance. And we brought our 17-year-old son who had never heard of them but aspires to be a musician. We all enjoyed their music and their wondrous concert, a mix of old favorites and new songs. All the members of the band were strong -- Greg, Miles, Fred and the Granger Brothers. And we were thrilled to be able to meet them after the concert, buy their newer CDs and get them autographed. My wife had the chance to tell them that their music helped comfort her when she was in labor 17 years ago with our son who attended the concert and is now the third member of the family to be Acoustic Alchemy fans!

What a fun evening. Heard all my favorite songs. The event started right on schedule and went on for just short of two hours. Had great seats, even though we were getting seated 20 mintues before show time. I'm new to VA. I suspect I'll be returning to the Birchmere many times in the future.

My husband and I have been big fans for over 20 years and were thrilled and amazed to see Acoustic Alchemy in person! We loved them! We were able to meet them after the concert. Not only are they a great talent, but they're really personable guys! Also, the food and atmosphere at the Birchmere was second to none! Had a great time and waiting to come back the next time Acoustic Alchemy are in town...

My husband and I have attended nearly every concert Acoustic Alchemy has performed at in the Seattle area and have NEVER been disappointed. Even though they always introduce new songs, one thing I especially appreciate about their older songs is that they are always fresh, have a great new sound, and even better than their original and subsequent versions or variations of the song. I only hope to see them appear in the Fort Lauderdale area in the future since we are moving there in a few weeks. We always have invited our friends to these appearances and the friends love them too!

I remember enjoying this group in the late 90's and thought I'd check out the concert in Denver last night at the Soiled Dove. I guess my tastes have changed because I didn't like the music at all. Every song sounded like every other song. The music is kind of elevator meets Linus from Peanuts. Maybe I should have stuck it out for longer, but 45 minutes was all I could take. By the way, the musicians weren't bad at their instruments, I just didn't like the style at all.

Greg, Miles and the others are excellent musicians. What started out as a mainly acoustic group back when Nick Webb was still alive has evolved over time into an excellent mix of acoustic and electric.

I am so bummed. I broke 2 bones in my foot and couldn't attend. I'm sure they were in top form - they always are. Another thing you can count on is diversity in their sets. They don't play the same 10 songs time and time again as some other bands do *coughRippingtonscough".

What a great band! This was a special night - the band was recording for Sirius XM - and I thought they were particularly "on" this night. The songs were crisp and melodic. The band was completely in synch - they clearly enjoy playing together. I try to see them every year when they swing through the Birchmere. I don't know if it's the economy or the fact that this was on a Monday night - but the crowd was on the smallish side - about 60 percent full. But those who turned out were given a real treat! And they responded enthusiastically. These guys are a must see!

This venue has terrific acoustics and the broadcast equipment was terrific. The performance by Acoustic Alchemy was "off-the-charts" great-I've seen them in Annapolis & in Houston-this was one of their better performances. While a few of the numbers were done basically the same as their album, most included extended improvisations by all the musicians. This was just an outstanding performance.

The Sunday night concert with Acoustic Alchemy was excellent! At their best! The intimate environment of Villa Montalvo's Carriage House Theater was perfect for this event and they were outstanding!

I have followed Acoustic Alchemy since the late 80's and seen many changes along the way. The group has come together as extremely talented musicians who love to play their music. The performance at Montalvo was a precious gift...

We have seen Acoustic Alchemy several times and they never cease to amaze me. Their stage presence and quality of music makes the ticket price and travel well worth while. Definitely a member of my favorites! Will see again with pleasure.

I thoroughly enjoyed the show. I've been a fan of AA early on since the 80s, but this was my first time seeing them live. All the music was so enjoyable. Each individual in the group is tremendously talented and they all play wonderfully together. the music just felt so great and I was very happy to finally see the group live. Enjoyed the samples from their upcoming album, which I can't wait to get since it's been a few years since their last release. Also took my 70-year old mother and she had a great time. I really like the venue as far as acoustics, but it was a bit warm. So a bit more air conditioning will do the trick there.

Works can't describe the music of this great jazz group...one must hear their music to appreciate and enjoy. It's easy to see why AA has been in the top 25 smooth jazz performers so many years...simply fantastic as always!

I was not familiar with this group, but love acoustic music, and I was not disappointed. The group had a very good mix of styles and the venue was very nice; intimate but with good acoustics.

Loved the venue being small and personal. Acoustic Alchemy appeared to have great chemistry-they were awesome!

Just watching the two best guitar players I've ever seen, close up and in person is an amazing experience. Both of them can make their instruments "talk"! Keyboards, bass and drummer were excellent also. My wife and I happened upon AA about 15 years ago in Orlando. Have 5 of their CDs and seeing them in person again was great. It makes the CDs more enjoyable cause you can pick out who's doing what while you are listening. A fantastic hour and forty five minutes!

My third time seeing them...it is always the best!

THIS WAS THE 5TH IME I HAVE SEEN THESE GUYS , BEEN A FAN SINCE 1985 IN HAWAII , LOVE THEM BRING UM BACK !!!! SCOOTHER

My husband and I have been fans of Acoustic Alchemy since we saw them the first time in 1987. We have their CDs and we bought an autographed print which they personalized to one of our grandsons. We are fans! We attended their concert at PonteVedra Concert Hall. The venue was awful. It was uncomfortably hot and seats very uncomfortable. Surely their business manager could have booked them in the Florida Theatre. The music was good, but wasn't very acoustic. It was very electric and the keyboard player was way to prominent, and loud. We had taken another couple with us who has never heard Acoustic Alchemy so they had no point of reference. They absolutely loved it! I would recommend Acoustic Alchemy. They are very personable on stage and clearly care about their audience. If you attend one of their shows, you will enjoy it. They are good musicians who have stood the test of time.

Concert hall was small but nice. Group did a great mix of old and new. Enjoyed thier interface with attendees.

All the musicians were amazing but the two guitarists were incredible. My brother is a professional guitarist and i have never heard some of the sounds they were pulling off. The blended well together and with them all living so far apart I don't know how they were so tight with little practice time. The venue was small but the audience was in to the music and we were all amazed at how well they sounded. Hope more concerts are in store.

This is what a concert is all about! Great acoustics at the venue. We were about 10 feet away from the band and we felt like they were personally playing just for us!. All of the band members are incredible musicians and have been playing together for a long time and it shows. They played a few songs from a CD that will be released this fall & they were excellent! We have seen this band probably 5 times now & will not hesitate to go again. There is not a bad seat at this venue. If you like instrumental smooth jazz, don't hesitate to go see these guys!

My wife and I have seen Acoustic Alchemy many times, but this was the best by far. The reason is they concentrated on new variations of old classic hits. They have such a great catalogue of songs - it was one hit after another. We both agreed it was the best concert we ve seen in many years.

First time I've seen Acoustic Alchemy, it was a pretty good show, but short. There was a too long band intro in the middle given the shortness of the show. I was also very disappointed that they did not play Jamaica Heartbeat. But they did a great job on the songs they played despite having a substitute guitarist.

This show was FANTANSTIC!!! Steve Oliver was playing with the group and his energy was off the charts. Being a fan a Acoustic Alchemy for many many years, I really enjoyed the live performances of old favorites. We have not been to the Birchmere often and have seen Acoutic Alchemy there twice so for. The band performed for almost two hours, the food was great and a good time was had by all.

Acoustic Alchemy was a fabulous performance. Each artist particularly skilled, musical geniuses. The show was well worth the time and effort. Scott Oliver, wow, perfect stand in. He should just be considered part of the band!!! What a pleasure he was!!

Even if I wasn't a big fan of these guys I would still love the concert. They are just pure jazz fun.

Awesome as ever. They played their hits with perfection, and new arrangements were amazing. New lead guitarist filled in perfectly. Finished with hard rock encode. Don't miss them if given the chance.

Both bands were great! It was the perfect Father's Day gift for my husband. I never get tired of hearing Spyro Gyra. I've been a fan of theirs from the beginning! Can't wait to see both bands again.

Acoustic Chemistry was amazing! Played 1 1/2 hours straight, incredibly tight, energizing and they had fun. Super performers! Loved it!

These guys love to play their music and it shows. They played some of their more well known arrangements and a bunch of new ones. Literally sat on the edge of my seat savoring every note and nuance.

The band was very good but the food at the Birchmere was really bad. Unbelievable, I can't imagine ever ordering food there again. Pricey for bad food!

Acoustic Alchemy has been around for almost 25 years, yet they are as fresh now as ever. Soaring melodies, driving rhythms (provided by the amazing Grainger brothers) and unequaled musicianship make this a show I make a point of attending every year.

Outstanding performance. Excellent symmetry between members of the group. I think these guys actually enjoy playing together!

This was my first time at The Birchmere and I love it. ease to get in a out, plenty of car space. The event was really good, great sound, not too loud. Where I was sitting I had a great view of the band. I waited over 12 years to see these guys playing and all members of the band are top notch! Hopefully I will be able to see them again!!

Music is always delightful and the brothers from Baltimore make a fine addition to the band.

Acoustic Alchemy was mesmerizing. Terrific talent, and the setting was the perfect size.

great show - venue is a simple gem. minimum charac

This was about the 8th time I've seen Acoustic Alchemy, and the second time at Ponte Vedre Concert Hall. I love the beautiful tunes on the studio music these guy do, but this concert just blew me away. Their energy is something you would not expect. Individually the band members are incredible musicians, but together they form a cohesive bond that transcends anything I have seen.

The group did not play Casino or Mr Chow while they played some repetitious song that I really did not care about...

A most enjoyable show, worth every penny. I would definitely go see them again.

After all these years they are innovating with new sounds.

Awesome show!! Would love to see them in concert again.

Myself and a friend were looking to enjoy some music Sunday night so I got tickets a few days before the show and saw Acoustic Alchemy for the first time. They were awesome! I was shocked at how much we enjoyed it. The music was great, the band has a friendly onstage presence, and it was a super fun time! Highly recommended!

The show was absolutely amazing! I truly enjoyed the concert and the food wasn't bad either.

Beautiful music, excellent musicians--what's not to like? They played a mix of old and new songs. I missed hearing some of my old favorites and wished they played longer (because it sounded sooo good), but what they did play I thoroughly enjoyed. I'm glad they're still around. I hope they make more beautiful music for years to come!

This was one of the best small venue concerts I have been to. The sound level was perfect. My date and I totally enjoyed Acoustic Alchemy.

We are huge fans of Acoustic Alchemy, try to see them whenever they are in town, and we are never disappointed. It was the best.

The music was moving, and the energy in the audience inspiring.

Concert was just great. They played all the songs I remembered from 20+ years ago. First time at the Amaturo Theater, very cozy. No bad seats. Was a very enjoyable experience.

Very entertaining and worth the money. Amazing mix of guitar tones. Superb talents!

These guys know how to put on a show! Good energy, not too rushed to get through the songs, everybody allowed to play solo's. The sound system in the casino was not the best, but I forgot about it after they started jamming!

Did not know what to expect, but we were blown away. These guys are fantastic. The best guitar playing we ever listened to. Can't wait to see them again!

What a pleasure it is to see these guys live. Miles turned up his electric guitar several times and just let it loose. I am a hard rock fanatic and was pleasantly surprised with the great mix of music presented. It was also great to see so many fans show up at the casino since AA normally plays at Jazz Alley in Seatle. I'm looking forward to their return this summer.

I have seen them six times now and each time is a little different but always fantastic. They really know how to entertain. Watching Miles jam and scat is always a treat, and the bassist is a great addition. If you have never seen them, YOU NEED TO GO! My wife and I agree, though, that JAZZ ALLEY is a better venue for them.

We love the guitar "alchemy," but in this concert, the drums and keyboard were too loud--almost drowning out the guitars. They should reduce the volume on the drums on stage, so we can enjoy the guitar work that we know them for.

Great concert! The acoustics in the concert hall weren'yt that good. Also the music volum was a little too loud.

Being in the front row provided and great view of the performers. The sound quality though, sounded muddy.

Acoustic Alchemy, as always, was absolutely amazing!

The concert was absoulutely fantastic. The venue was good, the crowd was enthusiastic without being obnoxious. I/we had a great time.

Band was excellent,sound quality was great but too loud.

This group delivers. Everything was great, ontime, clean and the seats were great AND comfortable.

Usual Acoustic Alchemy perfection. Wonderful atmosphere at Snoq. Casino and the band returned for a 25-min encore.

The band was tight. The guys were interactive with the audience. Their sound surpased expectations and each are incredibly talented.

Would have been quite good if they had kept the volume below my pain threshold. Even better if they had stayed closer to the acoustic melodies that I was hoping to hear. The interminably long high-volume riffs on electric guitar and keyboard that stretched some of their more recognizable songs into 10-minute wonders frequently caused me to cringe.

I have waited 10 years to see Acoustic Alchemy, and they did not disapoint. The sound was remarkably good, and they stayed 100% true to the original arrangements as they were recorded on the C.D.'s. The set list consisted of many tunes from their first few albums, and I enjoyed hearing all my favorite songs by these great players and writers. Please come back soon. Long live A.A.!

A A never puts on a bad show. Always beyond expectations. Love their stage presence, sense of humor, and incredible talent. They are even extremely cordial and open when greeting and signing after the show. A must see show.

These guys sounded fantastic, and they play so well together! They all seem to have such cool personalities and styles, which made the performance that much more enjoyable. Check them out if you can!

If you even think you may have heard the best guitar player, and have not heard Acoustic Alchemy, you have alot to learn. Effortless and seamless, beautiful and haunting, jazzy and hip. The band was formed 25 years ago, and we have been fans for the past 20. The Mantalvo Center was difficult to find, up a winding road opening to a spectacular mansion. The venue was small, 300 seats, luxuriously comfortable. Perfect for feeling enveloped in every note, beat and scat. Our seats were fantastic, second row, center.

this is the perfect venue for this band, and this was a great concert. greg, miles, greg, fred, and gary performed several of the old favorites and classics that they have recorded over the last two decades. as always miles is hilarious. if you like jazz, flamenco, or just guitar, check this out!

This was the fourth time I've seen the group in almost 20 years and they never fail to impress and entertain. Each member is ultra-talented and as a whole, they sound incredible! Their songs tell stories and transport you to another place. They've even added some crazy funk to their set list! I hope to see them again soon!!

I was expecting some mellow smooth jazz set... technically perfect guitar duo'ing, which of course I got, but I wasnt expecting all the other "extras" ... the most amazing keyboard solo, unbelievable bass slapping solo, bass-drum duel and tons of Al Jarreau funk that rocked the house. Impeccably tight, you can tell they have been working at it for 25 years. The guys are unbelievable and part of what makes it so, is that they are from England. They have way too much funk soul for that to be true ;-) Good on you brothers!

It's amazing that after 25 years, this group still puts out a terrific performance. Each of the five artists is top notch. Although the group focuses on the two guitarists, the supporting members play vital roles and are regularly given a chance to show their skills. The music is melodic, yet rhythmic and covers a full spectrum of styles. No two songs sound alike. You might say they live up to their name: alchemy. The two guitarists (Greg and Miles) are some of the best guitarists I've ever heard. They go way beyond other bands with complex chord structures, enchanting melodies, and unusual (often Latin-flavored) rhythms. The arrangements feature each guitarist soloing and then playing rhythm backup. There aren't any groups I can think of that are able to hand the lead back and forth so smoothly.

I have no idea why this band isn't more famous than they are. This is the 4th time I've seen them in ten years and they get better every time.

Hoping to hear the luscious chords and unusual guitar illustrations of emotions, I was surprised to hear that Acoustic Alchemy has evolved away from that. The concert was extremely loud, focused instead on rhythmic use of sound. There were hints of the music that made them famous, but it wasn't enough to justify the price of the tickets. I miss the sound they created in their earlier days.

The venue is great, and the band was wonderful... they gave an intense 90 minutes of music, and were in fine form. My wife loved it as well.

I have seen Acoustic Alchemy perform many many times and they always put on a great show. You get your money's worth for certain. Out of all those times, last night was the very first time they've ever performed "Mr Chow" - their first and my all-time favorite AA song. It was awesome!!

These guys are geniuses - not just Greg Carmichael and Miles Gilderdale (who certainly fit the description) but the bass player, drummer and keyboardist also display virtuoso-like mastery of their tools as well. If you have ever looked on in awe at someone who has truly mastered a musical instrument you will have plenty of opportunity to relive the experience when you see these guys live. They are brilliant. The music still fits into the beautiful smooth jazz genre that AA are famous for, but the technical complexity of the compositions and the inspired manner in which the lineup work together to deliver the goods will delight fans of any musical genre. If you like to see ultra-talented musicians do their stuff, do yourself a favor and get along to see these guys. We saw them at the intimate Birchmere..a venue well suited to this type of performance.

Wonder ful musicianship. They were a joy to watch and the music was fantastic.

I've been a fan since they're inception but have never seen a live performance till now. The underlying energy was contagious. I was prepared for a relaxing "easy listening" dinner concert at the Birchmere. Instead I was completely enthralled by the dynamic performance. From subtle classical guitar riffs to stunning electric guitars jams that had me jumping in my seat. Incredible.

We went to BB Kings for the first time to see Acoustic Alchemy with Dahlia playing about 5 acoustic songs as warm up. Acoustic Alchemy was very good. They played a broad range of music from old to new, including Mr. Chow (encore), Passion Play, Jamiacan Heartbeat, Arriane and more. Grianger Brothers on 5 string bass (Gary) & acoustic drums (Greg), were rock solid and more. They did a tasty duet near the end of the set that was one of the highlights Guitar work was highlighted the most and was great. Mostly acoustic with Miles playing an electric Fender occasionally. Wished the keyboard was mixed in better. Had difficulty hearing it clearly at times. Also wished the keyboard player would have cut loose a bit more. Nothing wrong with him at all but did appear either laid back or stifled. I thought the overall sound was authentic and stayed true to studio versions. There were some much desired live variations but a person looking for them to duplicate the album versions of stuff would be very pleased with this aspect.

These guys are incredable muscians and are well worth the price of the ticket. They play with emotion and express true love for what they do. This was our second time seeing them and they were just as good the first time. I will be looking forward to their new CD that will be released in September I think. They played three songs from it that sounded wonderful.