CD Review -Voluntary Solitary
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JAM Reviews - Florida's Music Magazine, August 19, 1994
Simply put, if you like the sound of an acoustic guitar played well and uncluttered by distracting arrangements and other less important instruments, you'll dig this CD. Great tunes, clean production, marvelous playing and even a dubious critical recommendation by Leo Kottke on the back cover. ("Richard's a weird guy") add up to make this one a winner.
Best Cuts: "Mrs. Firecracker's Place", "Study", (written by his guitar mentor, David Walbert), "Bron-Yr-Aur", (Yes, the Zep tune from Physical Graffiti, "Study in Bm" by Fernando Sor, and the best of the bunch, "Jamaicalina". The last one was written for a friend who "apologized to bugs before she killed them".
Solo acoustic guitar albums, no matter how good, can be mauled by poor production if the guitar is not recorded right. That didn't happen here -- the sound is crystal clear. You can almost smell the guitar wood. This is all Richard Gilewitz, all acoustic guitar, and all good. Jam Entertainment News - August 19, 1994
Relix Magazine, Vol. 22 No. 1
For anyone that likes complex finger picked guitar music a la Leo Kottke, John Fahey or Jorma Kaukonen, Voluntary Solitary, the first CD by Spring Hill, Florida finger picker Richard Gilewitz should be especially interesting. Gilewitz has been playing throughout the southern states for many years. He's an accomplished player with incredible dexterity and imagination. This is best highlighted in the clear ringing melodic tones of the CD's best original "Jamaicalina". There's also a solid version of Fahey's "Requiem For John Hurt" and Led Zepppelin's "Bron-Yr-Aur". Mike Skidmore
The Tampa Tribune - Records, Jennifer Barrs
Although the hilarious liner notes are enough to draw you in ("We're all out to lunch - we just don't eat at the same place"), Gilewitz keeps you interested with his lovely stylings on the acoustic ax. This album echoes the purity that is solo guitar. Forget the electrics, can the reverberations. There is lushness in simplicity, and songs such as "Study" are enough to make you want to check the concert listings. Gilewitz plays Wednesday night at the Tampa Bay Performing Art Center's Off Center Theater.