Is Determination a good place to start with Tommy Emmanuel?

Yes, Determination is recommended as a starting point for new Tommy Emmanuel listeners. A vibrant fusion of intricate fingerstyle guitar and emotive melodies that showcase a masterful blend of genres. Released in 1992, Determination marked Tommy Emmanuel's first major solo album after years of working as a session musician and touring with various bands. This album came during a pivotal phase in his career, transitioning from collaborative efforts to establishing his own distinct sound as a solo artist.

Who is Determination for?

Determination works well if you're into steady melodic journey throughout, inviting warm acoustic textures and reflective moments of clarity.

How many songs are on Determination?

Determination has 13 tracks, running approximately 56 minutes.

Determination

Tommy Emmanuel · 1992

56 min · 13 tracks · blues

A vibrant fusion of intricate fingerstyle guitar and emotive melodies that showcase a masterful blend of genres.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Who Dares Wins Start here — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its vigorous energy and showcases Emmanuel's signature fingerpicking style, inviting listeners into his world.
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Mountain of Truth — With its deeply resonant melody and reflective lyrics, this track exemplifies Emmanuel's ability to weave storytelling into his instrumental prowess.
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Fiesta — This lively piece features rhythmic intricacies and vibrant melodies that embody the diverse influences present throughout the album, highlighting Emmanuel's versatility.
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Stevie’s Blues — A tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan, this bluesy number showcases Emmanuel's capacity for emotional expression through guitar, blending technical skill with heartfelt homage.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

73 /100

Alpine

Higher than 96% of albums we've rated

The album showcases exceptional guitar work and composition but has a moderate cultural footprint.

What we noticed

Several tracks incorporate unexpected tempo changes, such as 'Fiesta', which shifts from a brisk pace to a slower, more reflective section.
Emmanuel often layers multiple guitar parts, creating rich textures that enhance the emotive quality of the melodies.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 9/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady melodic journey throughout
inviting warm acoustic textures
reflective moments of clarity
suitable for focused listening
uplifting energy for motivation

Maybe skip if you

seeking fast-paced excitement
prefer standalone hit tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album solidified Emmanuel's reputation as a virtuoso guitarist.
Themes: musical homage· fingerstyle mastery· storytelling melodies
Career context: Released in 1992, Determination marked Tommy Emmanuel's first major solo album after years of working as a session musician and touring with various bands. This album came during a pivotal phase in his career, transitioning from collaborative efforts to establishing his own distinct sound as a solo artist.
Stylistic neighbors: Leo Kottke· Chet Atkins· Michael Hedges