"An orchestration of digits, metal and wood, John fluidly disciplines himself, the guitar, and his compositions to lift you up and enable you to musically travel with him. Master fingerstylist Morgan creates three-dimensional work, balancing rhythm, melody, and harmonies within his song. The artist has two CDs: "The Journey" & "Stories". Recommended A+."
Artguitech

"Tremendous stuff! This is certainly a musical journey worth taking time and time again. It sounds like John Morgan is having lots of fun here. I can hear bits of flamenco, jazz, folk and, well, basically damn fine music."
Acoustic Guitar Instrumentals

"Another long time favorite. This has shades of the Narada players that started me on my journey into Solo Acoustic Fingerstyle Guitar playing. This is good stuff!"
Solo Acoustic Fingerstyle Guitarists

"The Journey - Some fine steel string guitar playing! Great composition too..."
"The Luminescent Shoes - A little latin rumba to spice things up."
Original Guitar Works

"The best acoustic guitarist I have *ever* heard, bar none. Really...."
Music for the Hopefully Loomy

"Another Great Ohio Musician! A great guitarist."
Ohio Musician Magazine

REVIEWS FOR "THE JOURNEY"

There is something inspiring about an acoustic guitar being well played - depending on the finger style of playing it can sound intimate or widescreen orchestral, and on this album by Ohio-based John Morgan it covers all bases admirably. I've had the pleasure of reviewing a later album [Stories] by this excellent musician and this debut solo album certainly matches Stories for variety. Morgan comes from the same stylistic sources as Bert Jansch, John Renbourne and Davey Graham, though perhaps his sound is a little smoother. In truth it is difficult to categorise what style of music this is, as with the later album, folk, country, blues and other traditional elements are all fused together into something that is very pleasing for the ears. Picking favourite tracks is a bugger in situations like this: the title track is extremely impressive, as is Three Children. But the music on this album just flows together and you tend to simply forget niceties such as track numbers on the cd player screen or even the time passing once those fingers start weaving there magic. I think all the tracks are original compositions, with no dipping into 'Traditional', so one can only applaud John Morgan's writing skills. If you live in the UK [as I do] then trying to get a copy of The Journey or Stories does require some effort and you'll have to visit Morganguitar.com to order them - or email John at john@morganguitar for pricing information. Whatever, make the effort as these albums are both worth the wait by the letter box... Oh, and if you are learning to play guitar check out John's tutorial website: PlayTheGuitar.com.
John Peters - The Borderland

"If you like acoustic fingerstyle guitar, here's another great album for you. John Morgan's new set of original compositions is loaded with melodic hooks that invite easy listening. His instrumentals are all brief in length, running between two and four minutes, and they are all the sort of tunes that have a pop sensibility that invites the listener to hum along to refrains that seem already familiar. There are no synthesizer fills, nature sounds or dazzling two-handed picking techniques. Just the sound of one man with his guitar crafting pleasant melodies that can fit into the work environment without distracting or make great background music for time spent relaxing in friendly conversation. If you spend time just listening, you can appreciate the simple things he celebrates in music, such as "Diamonds in the Snow" or "House by the River" or "The Squirrel with Red Eyes."
New Age Voice (April '98)

"...possesses considerable chops, and his pieces are [melodic], putting him at the top of the pack of artists deserving greater exposure and attention."
James Jensen Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine (July/Aug '97)

REVIEWS FOR "STORIES"

"Stories" caught my attention quickly with the very first cut, and was a consistent delight throughout the entire recording. John Morgan has a distinctive flair that always surprises. John's fingerstyle acoustic guitar is enhanced by bass, percussion and flute in various combinations, and there is a smooth, stylish energy among all the instruments. The warm of the very musical "Stories" will keep you captivated and entertained."
Randall Leonard - Holistic Journal (Nov/Dec '99)

"John Morgan is good at what he does...very good. "Stories," the follow up to his highly touted first release, "The Journey," is a wonderful example of how purely instrumental music can convey emotion and images without ever saying a word. Using a distinctive fingerstyle technique, Morgan transforms the sounds of his acoustic guitar (mixed with bass and flute) into wonderful tales filled with tangible sentiment. Like the upbeat anticipation of "Awakenings," the excited curiosity of "Tickets to the Circus" or the quiet reverence of "Winterprayer." It's not hard to imagine this album finding a permanent place next our quieter moments. It is contemplative but rhythmic, forthright but humble. Most of all, though, it is enjoyable. The musical tales found in Morgan's "Stories" are worth listening to over and over again."
Frederick Schmitt - PreAmp.com

"For you acoustic guitar lovers, here's a new one, filled with surprises, twists and upbeat guitar tunes. Master guitarist John Morgan provides a breath of fresh air."
Christina Lord - Creations Magazine

"14 delightfully uplifting 'fables in wood, wind and steel' with the main voice being the flawless acoustic guitar stylings of John Morgan are offered in this wonderful release. Sounding like a gentle version of Michael Hedges, John's delicate fingerstyle guitar melodies are quite captivating, taking the listener into a world that is teeming with optimism, joy and friendly Stories. A great daybreaker, these soundscapes will also help create positive atmospheres at work, on the road or anytime that a lift in spirits is called for. Highly recommended to all lovers of acoustic guitar music."
Rev. Robert Walmsley Musical Soundscapes

"Where one is from isn't as important as where one is headed, and good friends make the journey that much sweeter. This simple sentiment forms the basis for an exceptionally beautiful selection of instrumental acoustic music that helps one enjoy the adventure of everyday living. Morgan is an incredibly articulate guitarist blessed with the gift of being able to convey in four minutes of music what it would take several books to relay. His musical "stories" describe beloved imaginary characters who dance in "Luminescent Shoes" and embrace "The Unexpected Stranger" as they share the marvels of their travels. One is quickly immersed in this good company as the brightly hued music flows smoothly like a water-color, pausing now and then for a fun and funky time-out "By the Well of Joy" or a romantic rendezvous to express "What Words Can't Say." There's many a good instrumental tale here, much to bring a secret smile, a private dance step; this is feel-good music of the finest grade for anyone open to insipiration."
PJ Birosik - The Monthly Aspectarian (June '99)

"There's a reason most "unknown" guitarists are unknown. Either they are simply not blessed with the gift, or their heroic day-to-day routine of slogging through mundane commercial enterprise to support their families restrains them from an unbridled pursuit of artistic excellence. Though John Morgan is as far as can be from a household name, his gift must be uncommonly generous, or he paradoxically draws on a creative force engendered by his life and family that is magically transmuted into great music unbefitting that of an unknown. This Ohioan's melodic solo fingerstyle composition is similar to that of Phil Keaggy, another excellent player and writer whose musical roots were nourished in a similar place and time. The tracks from "The Journey-Places Real and Imagined" could be easily intermixed with Keaggy's Dove-award winning "Beyond Nature" without causing a stir or departing thematically. The liner notes refreshingly indicate that "all songs were performed in standard tuning", almost a rarity in solo fingerstyle performance these days, and even more surprising considering the booming harmonics nursed bell-like from Morgan's Taylor 710. "Streams of Mercy, Showers of Blessing" begins as a disquieting collage of suspenseful arpeggios, resolving pleasingly into a requited and reassuring familiarity. "Diamonds in the Snow" similarly pits two disparate sensations against each other, a harsh diminished riff spinning around a luminously comfortable theme sounding like the opening guitar line to "Scarborough Fair". Perhaps metaphorically recapitulating something deeper, Morgan has a feel for tension and redemption in his music."
www.minor7th.com

"There are some albums where few words are required to put over the general opinion. OK, so here goes: Buy this album - buy it now! Not good enough for you? Well, here's the long answer then: Buy this album and you'll enter a state of sublime musical grace that no amount of Britney Spears or Jo-Lo will subvert. Stories is one of the best albums I've heard in a long time, and we are talking real music here, not stuff created by fiddling with a few samples on a computer, or thumping the pads on a drum box.
I'm talking about instrumental music of the acoustic kind - John Morgan is a guitarist of the highest calibre, a magical fingerpicker ranking up there with John Fahey, Chet Atkins, Bert Jansch and John Renbourn. Subtly and sympathetically backed by his 'friends', the fourteen tracks on this superb cd sparkle and shine, shimmer and shimmy, with many of them leaving you humming the tune after just one listen. The understated backing of percussion, flute, fretless bass and voice leave the guitar as the star, and the man can play - country, folk, blues, traditional, it all seems to have been mixed together to form a new style of gumbo, and it's damned tasty.
The bottom line is that this music lifts the spirits instantly, from track one to the finale. In many ways this is the happiest album that I've ever heard, and I can't pick out highlights - every track brings out the sunshine. God knows we need more music like this. This is the ideal album to relax to after a stressed out day, or if you need the spirits recharged. You probably think I'm going over the top here, and perhaps I am a little, but there's no denying this album is fabulous and deserves to be in every discerning music fans' collection."
John Peters of The Borderland
for ToTheBone.com