Three Hands
Don Ross · 1992
48 min · 12 tracks · new acoustic music
Intricate fingerstyle guitar weaves through melodic landscapes, blending folk and jazz influences with a touch of whimsy.
Top tracks — play these first
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Spirit Wars — This opening track showcases Ross's signature fingerstyle technique and sets an energetic tone for the album with its complex rhythms and vibrant melodies.
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3 Hands — The title track exemplifies Ross's ability to blend intricate melodies with playful elements, highlighting his innovative approach to composition and performance.
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Hoover the Musical Dog — This whimsical piece features clever musical motifs that reflect its playful theme, demonstrating Ross's creativity and skill in narrative songwriting through instrumental music.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Intricate guitar work and varied tempos create a distinctive acoustic landscape, though its impact is more niche.
What we noticed
- Each track features complex fingerstyle guitar patterns that often intertwine, creating a rich tapestry of sound.
- The album includes several tracks where the tempo shifts dramatically, such as 'Run, Don't Walk' which accelerates mid-way through.
- Many pieces incorporate elements of improvisation, allowing for spontaneous variations in melody and rhythm.
- The final track, 'Leger de Main', serves as a reflective conclusion with a slower pace and softer dynamics compared to earlier tracks.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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9/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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
- whimsical melodies for lighthearted moments
- intricate guitar work for detail-oriented
- short tracks with playful energy
- melodic exploration during quiet afternoons
Maybe skip if you
- prefer heavy, dense production
- seek high-energy dance tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1992, Three Hands marked Don Ross's third album and solidified his reputation as a leading figure in the new acoustic music genre. At this point, he was already gaining recognition for his virtuosic guitar skills and innovative compositions, following the success of his previous releases which showcased his unique blend of folk and classical techniques.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Andy McKee· Michael Hedges· Kaki King
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Spirit Wars 4:10
- 2 Hoover the Musical Dog 3:26
- 3 Island of Women 6:20
- 4 A Child Must Grow 5:01
- 5 3 Hands 2:40
- 6 Run, Don't Walk 2:59
- 7 Sugar 5:11
- 8 Kehewin 5:10
- 9 Big Buck 3:08
- 10 Everybody Lies 4:02
- 11 39 Weeks 3:08
- 12 Leger de Main 3:04
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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