Here is a nice looking album of no less than 18 short, attractive and only moderately difficult pieces from this Liverpudlian composer. There is much variety here, from ballad styles, to Latin, to baroque pastiche to little waltzes, and many more besides. Having seen many of Houghton's pieces over the years I expect, and usually find, a certain polish, that separates his pieces from many other guitar composers. So, what do we find here?
Firstly he opens up with a warm arpeggio-based piece with more than a hint of the folk style, called Time Moves On. There is an engaging little tune atop the flow of arpeggios and a sudden move in and out of the tonic minor in the middle. A sad, little Lamenting Prelude follows set in E minor; a three-page Andante religioso, the longest in the book, set in three voices with a rocking arpeggio middle voice. Others include the quirky little Greeting Card with some surprising harmony work; a jokey Humoresque; a bouncy Springtime Tango and an equally pacey Captain Lee's Calypso to name but a few more.
Each one has merit; all are not too hard and any players who enjoy melodic pieces with a little something a bit different in them, will get a great deal from this book.«
Chris Dumigan (Classical Guitar Magazine)
