text: Another favorite on when the sea lets go is called dust and drag. This one of the few instrumentals featuring another player and it this case it is legendary bassist Michael Manring that infuses a sculptural bass accompaniment that adds body and soul into the fray.
  I thought that just before you go would have been a pleading, but not so. It was a gentle reminder that I was actually on the road in my concept of paradise. I tried to commit the landscape to memory, knowing I might not come back any time soon. The peace and serenity of Vin’s tune connected perfectly with my tranquil mood. It reminded me that we are just mortal, but emotions are gifts not to be taken lightly.
  Emotion and creativity meet like graceful ships on a friendly ocean on Vin Downes’ when the sea lets go. Downes finely tuned guitar work combined with his passion for perfection make this an incredible recording that is as timeless as it is thoughtful. His collection of highly refined tracks are enjoyable any time or any place, but they all share a unique sense of the introspective voyage. I give this a rating I have never given before, that of Most Excellent, for it is one of the finest works I have ever heard.
  Vin Downes is one of the finest guitarists who I’ve had the pleasure of working with in my 40 year career as a producer. A brilliant player, Vin’s compositions are captivating and instantly memorable. Even more importantly to me, his pieces are emotionally evocative and connect on a very deep level with us as listeners. In encountering his latest recording, When The Sea Lets Go (a recording I co-produced with Tom Eaton), you will be listening to one of the great talents in today’s already rich guitar community.
  Guitarist Vin Downes’ latest release, titled When the Sea Lets Go, was recorded at Imaginary Road Studios in beautiful Vermont. Produced by guitarist and Windham Hill Records founder Will Ackerman, along with multi-instrumentalist and recording engineer Tom Eaton, the album is comprised of ten lovely acoustic compositions recorded on steel-string guitar, which overall convey the signature essence of classic Windham Hill recordings by the likes of Will Ackerman, Michael Hedges and Alex de Grassi.
  “Entwined and Lost” is a gentle opener that paints a scenic landscape of solitude, as it likewise conveys a comfortingly warm and down-to-earth feel. Vin’s guitar-playing style is at once detailed and intricate, yet perfectly understated and overall low-key, as he imparts a smoothly flowing and velvety touch throughout the compositions. The third track, “Morning Red”, is a comparatively brighter and quicker-paced tune that gently uplifts the spirits, as it brings to mind that of peering out on a terrace while an early sunshine pours through the colorful leaves of towering trees. On the fourth track, “Dust and Drag”, Michael Manring’s bass guitar enters at about the halfway mark, as it seemingly forms a dancing pair with Vin’s guitar for a few moments before exiting the stage. The fifth track, “Everything Ahead”, is one of the most upbeat compositions on the album, imparting subtle overtones of Americana. It’s easy to imagine driving into the sunset while listening to this seemingly carefree yet contemplative piece, letting go of all stresses and worries. The title-piece and seventh track, “When the Sea Lets Go”, is one of the most melodically beautiful and emotive compositions on the album, in which an atmosphere of evening is conveyed, perhaps while standing alone by the seashore. A hint of sunlight peers through on the lovely eighth track, “Streets of Sunday”, in which a delicate piano melody courtesy of Tom Eaton enters towards the end of the piece in just the perfect timing, as it gently drifts and twirls around the centerpiece. A few of the album’s song titles especially leave one with the intriguing impression of wondering what their story might be, as they seem to have captured a brief but lingering moment in time. Among these are the fifth and ninth tracks, respectively titled “Just Before You Leave” and “The Right Words are Simple”, as well as the lulling final piece, “All You Left Behind”.
  A most comforting album of solitude and reflection, When the Sea Lets Go is one of the loveliest acoustic guitar recordings that I’ve heard recently, as well as a particularly suitable companion for reading, writing, reflection and remembrance. Vin Downes possesses a supremely beautiful guitar-playing style that boasts constant fluidity and subtle intricacy, as he creates a warmly intimate, personal and enveloping soundscape throughout. A fantastic album that is rather simple without a grand display of bells and whistles, Vin has decidedly taken a less-is-more approach here, which in this case works to absolute perfection! ~Candice Michelle
  These very simple at first look and at the same time strong guitar chords capture the listener’s heart from the first seconds. The music of Vin Downes is very thoughtful and sincere. It penetrates into the deep corners of your soul and arouses most sweet memories. This music releases hidden emotions and washes your heart with warm Summer rain.
  The meditative guitar of Vin Downes gently leads you and gives you a perspective to see the world as it exists, and to feel all its beauty. And you can, also, easily sense the beauty of your own heart.
  The guitar playing of Vin Downes has several very important features. It is filled with inner freedom. And this music wakes up your mind and excites a very wide range of emotions. All compositions of the gifted artist are full of life and they gently push you to start your personal travel to the unknown. Who knows what will happen with you on the path, but you definitely won’t be the same after this gripping journey…
  I’d like to add only a few about the album “When the Sea Lets Go”. Vin Downes is a brilliant guitarist and his musical messages have amazing clearness and purity.
  The album “When the Sea Lets Go” was produced by Will Ackerman and Tom Eaton and the sound design of this project is beyond praise. You can easily listen to each simple note. You are able to perceive the thinnest nuances of the diverse guitar of Vin Downes, who is really a superb artist.
  I am sure the newest release of Vin Downes will be one of the brightest events of the new year. Listen to this refined music and just look inside. You’ll see where the beauty of this world is hidden. Now is the time to feel it, now is the very right moment to return this beauty back to our world. It needs your actions…
  When the Sea Lets Go is the fourth album from guitarist/composer Vin Downes. Eight of the ten tracks are solo acoustic guitar; one features Tom Eaton on piano, and one features Michael Manring on bass. This is the second of Downes’ albums that has been produced by Will Ackerman and Tom Eaton at Imaginary Road Studios; Eaton also recorded, mixed, and mastered the album. Downes’ hypnotic music gently soothes and relaxes with the peaceful ebb and flow of ocean waves. Nuance and subtlety are very much a part of his playing style, proving once again that “less is more.” His masterful guitar playing and composing come from the heart and express far more than words can ever say.
  Downes began studying the guitar at the age of eleven, later earning a degree in classical guitar performance and music education from William Paterson University. While in college, he studied classical composition and had several of his compositions performed by soloists and ensembles. Downes has recorded and performed with a variety of musicians and is a public school teacher in New Jersey, teaching classical guitar at Bayonne High School.
  When the Sea Lets Go begins with “Entwined and Lost,” an enchanting piece that is wistful and dreamy while demonstrating the exquisite beauty of solo acoustic guitar and Vin Downes’ soulful playing. “Evening in Berkeley” continues in quiet tones, describing a peaceful, blissful side of Berkeley I don’t think I’ve ever experienced (but would like to!). “Morning Red” ups the tempo a bit, expressing the anticipation and promise of a new day. “Dust and Drag” features legendary bassist Michael Manring, who adds his own special magic to this lovely piece. “Just Before You Go” is a favorite. Warm, melodic, and more than a little poignant, the emotions expressed are honest and heartfelt. “Everything Ahead” is a bit livelier, conveying a sense of optimism for the future. The title track is another favorite. Smooth and graceful, it reminds me of the mesmerizing effect of watching a sunset over a calm ocean. “Streets of Sunday” is mostly solo guitar, but Tom Eaton adds some piano near the end. Lazy and contented, it’s a reminder of what Sundays should feel like! “All You Left Behind” brings the album to a close, expressing deep emotion that really touches the heart. Beautifully melancholy and very sincere, this is my favorite piece on the album.
  When the Sea Lets Go is outstanding from the first note to the last. If you like solo acoustic guitar, this album is an absolute must! It is available from Amazon, iTunes, and CD Baby. Very highly recommended!
  Acoustic guitarist Vin Downes' third album is up for Best New Age Album in the 57th Annual Grammy Awards, and deservedly so.This is one of the best acoustic guitar albums out there; it flows beautifully from beginning to end, with nary a dud on the track list.
  This is a testament to Downes' craftsmanship as a composer and his skill as a guitarist. Every chord and note is rapturous, and the sound is lush and luxurious thanks to the studio acumen of producer Will Ackerman and recording engineer Tom Eaton.
  Grammy winner Ackerman contributes additional guitar to one track, with other guest turns throughout by bass impressario Tony Levin, cellist Eugene Friesen, and flutist David Watson. Friesen's cello and Watson's flutes blend very nicely with Downes' guitar, by the way.
  Acoustic guitarist Vin Downes’ third release is his first collaboration with Will Ackerman and Tom Eaton at Imaginary Road Studios. Unlike the Stars will beguile the listener with its graceful, warm melodies and breezy acces­sibility. Downes possesses superb technique and artistic chops galore, but he doesn’t flaunt it. The music has an outdoorsy feel to it, and the CD would be a great traveling-down-country-highways disc: It has enough impetus and energy to blend with passing scenery but not so much drama to become intrusive to a pleasant, meandering mood while searching for adventure on the open road.
  There’s little more satisfying/comforting than well-played acoustic guitar, and Vin has this down pat, as ably evidenced by his opener, “Where I Began“… nice, nice, NICE! The 13 tracks go quite well with a topped-off espresso, a set of bluetooth headphones and an hour or so to groove with him. I particularly liked “Turning Years” for the relaxed vibe…. you won’t drop this from your playlists any time soon. It was the mood on “Dark Blue Wind” that captured my vote for favorite, though… if totally focused & well-played guitar is what you’re yearning for, you’ll agree when I say that this comes MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98. ~ Rotcod Zzaj
  It happened! A new bright star has lit up the sky of the new age and acoustic music genre. The transparent and multi-dimensional guitar tunes of Vin Downes touch the soul from the very first chords, and one wants to soar with these very emotional and impressive compositions.
  You feel as if your entire room is filled with divine sounds of Vin Downes’ guitar. It speaks with you, it finds the response in the depths of your soul. The guitar of the artist has its own very expressive voice. And at the same time incredible easiness is felt in the music of Vin Downes.
  “Unlike the Stars” was produced by Grammy Award winner Will Ackerman and co-produced, recorded and mixed by Tom Eaton at Imaginary Road Studios. Brilliant performers Will Ackerman, Tom Eaton, Eugene Friesen, Tony Levin and David Watson joined Vin Downes on this album. Their instrumental parts help elegantly to emphasize the distinct style of the skilfull guitarist.
  What more can I say? My review comes to its end and I have to put a dot, but after that I’ll be listening to this amazing album one more and one more time…
  "Vin Downes has crafted a beautifully organic album with his latest offering, "Unlike The Stars". Every track is masterfully composed and resonates positively on its own -- sometimes introspective, sometimes outgoing, yet always articulately performed. This album is so very tasteful and musically refreshing that listeners will instantly recognize it as a 'new' classic."
  Click the link below for Michael Diamond's review of "unlike the stars" on his website Music and Media Focus.
  Click the link below to read Keith Hannaleck's review of "unlike the stars" at New Age Music Reviews.
  I loved this CD from the second I put it on. It is nine tracks of beautiful acoustic guitar music – all instrumental, all wonderful. I asked my daughter what she thought: "I like it," she said.
  I asked my wife, who said, "It's great. Much better than that stuff you had on before." Basically, Vin Downes has made a winner. I think of it as great studying music, or the perfect music for settling down in the evening with a book. Each track is warm, mellow, and almost...friendly.
  Short on length at only a bit more than 32 minutes, Vin Downes’ latest solo CD, "What Falls Away" nonetheless brings an enjoyable listening experience throughout its 9 tracks. Downes is a good fingerpicker, with a solid understanding of what makes a good song good. He keeps us anchored to the melody while exploring the aural dimensions that multiple fingers allow up and down the fretboard. We don’t get any modern techniques like two-handed tapping, just straight ahead fingerstyle guitar. The title cut "What Falls Away" is played on nylon string, a gentle dance that suggests what falls away may still have life. Maybe the most challenging piece on this CD is the contrapuntal "Under Sail and Star," with a deft mix of chord and sliding melodies. The longest cut is "Longfield and Cattails." Moving through the familiar A-B form, Downes calls and answers in various ways while returning us to the center of the melody. "Seeing Through" has some shades of early Chris Proctor playing and writing, a fine lyrical piece. The final cut "Running Fences" has some qualities of a rag, but breaks out of that style as the treble line undulates from phrase to phrase. While Downes won’t blow anyone away with mind-altering playing like a Tommy Emmanuel or Laurence Juber, "What Falls Away" is simply a CD of fine acoustic guitar music.
  What Falls Away, the sophomore release from Vin Downes, is a personal and intimate recording. Listeners will hear maturity in Downes’ composition. Opening up even more from his previous release Skies and Openings, the pieces create an aural landscape and take the listener on a trip through each of the nine tracks. Each composition possesses its own unique imagery and tone. You ride along with melodies as simple and majestic as clouds rolling by in the sky forming works of art. Downes’ fingerstyle technique shines throughout. His playing is natural and never forced. Sparse, yet exact, production showcases the guitar and artist behind it.
  The overall tone of the release is very upbeat; like remembering a fond memory and smiling about it. "Gathering Miles" and "Seeing Through" are prime examples of this quality. "Departures" and "What Falls Away" are melancholy at times but also leave the listener in a higher place. Other tracks, like "Under Sail and Star", transport you on a melodic journey. "Longfield and Cattail" provides the proof of Leo Kottke’s influence on Downes, who lists Kottke as well as Michael Hedges as inspiration. With What Falls Away, Downes shows that he has moved onto the innovation phase of his playing and composing from a place closer to his heart. The final track, "Running Fences", has child-like whimsy and closes the CD perfectly.
  Vin Downes released a fine CD of original Fingerstyle compositions .Very beautifully recorded .Vin has a great touch. I don't know how long he has lived with these tunes, but he treats each one like an old best friend! Great work Vin !
  Let me start this CD review with a question. "If you had to plan for an important meeting tomorrow morning and needed some musical background which could enhance both your ability to focus and your ability to relax at will, to what would you listen? "
  I suspect that it would not be much of the music one encounters when surfing the FM dial these days. Contemporary pop music that comes out of the speakers seems too often to be generated by sharping and flatting singers warbling barely decipherable melodies...Not the stuff of music calculated to either enhance or to smooth the brain of the man on the street. .
  Enter the dramatically different instrumental world of Mr.Vin Downes. His new album entitled Skies and Openings slid into my auditory canals as a most pleasant surprise. Vin is a multi instrumentalist (guitar/ banjo/ ukulele) backed up on this album by highly talented musical co-conspirators on bass, drums, and violin.
  While the songs on the album are distinctly softer than the brash stuff that dominates today's airwaves, make no mistake. Vin's material is neither simple-minded easy listening nor boring elevator music. I discovered that I could listen to and absorb this fascinating album in at least two distinct ways.
  [1] At one level Vin's compositions serve as the perfect complement to considered thought. Cramming for a final or preparing for a job interview would be a lot easier with Vin and company holding down the anxiety level and soothing the soul.
  [2] Conversely, during a "study break" from topical concentration, one is strongly attracted to focus upon the superlative instrumental skills displayed by the Mr. Downes. It comes as a welcome relief from much of the daily guitar thrashing on air to discover what sounds can be teased out of the wood that goes into a fine acoustic guitar. After listening to many an over-produced album, it is also certainly refreshing to actually hear the very real sound of fingers sliding from fret to fret in the mix.
  Pen City Rag: Reminds me of some of Ry Cooder's material on the soundtrack of the movie The Long Riders. Real roots music.
  The album cover art is just that: art. Three shots of Vin with his guitar, a sunset shot with the song list superimposed, and a montage of the recording team in the studio. Simple design, but it fits well with the spareness of the music it encapsulates.
  So visit vindownes.com, drop a little coin, throw a log on the fire and relax to Skies and Openings.
  Vin Downes is a fine musician with a degree in classical guitar performance. "Skies and Openings" is his debut CD, produced by Downes and Anthony Saint James, and it has already received national recognition. Vin cites Michael Hedges and Leo Kottke as influences. Echos of both can be clearly heard, in addition to shades of Alex Degrassi.
  This is a well-produced recording of eleven tracks, seven solo and four with bass and drums. They evoke various styles and moods, from pensive and meditative to rag and movin'-down-the-road grooves. Downes plays mostly in non-standard tunings, displaying a mastery of the finger-style guitar.
  All of the tracks on this CD are strong, but a few stand out. The first track, "Skies and Openings," opens the ears with a well articulated and well harmonized melody that has a Celtic flavor. "Words Over Us" takes us through different tonal colors, underpinned by bright flowing movement. "Climb" is a thought-provoking theme played against a deliberate "one foot in front of the other" rhythm.
  "So She Spins" won an award in the Great American Song Contest. This elegant and graceful waltz is a duet with violinist Jeffrey Young. "Kian's Blues" is rich, full and open with unpredictable dissonant intervals that show Vin's love of jazz. The playfulness of "Pen City Rag" then brings us back to earth. "Sachem Road Goodbye," another rag-influenced composition played flawlessly on the ukulele, provides a short and sweet finale that leaves the listener conjuring images of lively dancers, ready to take on whatever comes next.
  That could well be listening to Vin Downes again. I expect we will be hearing more from this accomplished guitarist and composer.
  There were 995 combined yards accumulated by the Girard Indians and Lakeview Bulldogs, but in the end all that mattered were the 5 yards the Bulldogs needed most.
  Attempting a field goal of 45 yards late in the fourth quarter, Lakeview senior Noah Busefink had the line but the ball fell a few yards short of the goal post. The miss allowed the Indians to maintain a two-point lead.
  Moments later, on third-and-5 from the Indians’ 25, Morgan Clardy ran left on a jet sweep, cut back against the grain and went 74 yards to the Bulldogs’ 1. Quarterback Mark Waid took a knee on the next three snaps as the Indians advanced in the Division IV, Region 13 playoffs with a 33-31 win Friday night at Don Richards Field.
  “Even after a little disappointment last week, this group reloaded and showed their true character and their true pride,” Indians coach Pat Pearson said. “These are Girard kids. They never quit.”
  The Indians, who had a perfect season spoiled in a loss to Liberty last week, are 10-1 and headed to a second-round playoff game against Perry. The Bulldogs, who hadn’t lost since the first game of the season, end with a 9-2 record.
  Every fan in the packed stadium expected a high-scoring game, and they weren’t disappointed. It was playoff football at its best, with the Indians spotting the Bulldogs a 10-0 lead.
  Waid was spectacular, staging a performance comparable to what Girard fans expected 20-plus years ago from Nick Cochran, who went on to excel at Youngstown State University. Waid was 26 of 40 for 362 yards and three touchdowns. He ran 30 times for 113 yards and a pair of touchdowns, finishing with 475 yards of offense.
  “Lakeview has a great football team,” Waid said. “They’re well-coached and they wanted to win as much as we wanted to win. We were down 10, and most people counted us out, but we knew we could overcome anything. In my opinion, I feel this team can overcome 50-0. That’s how much I trust and believe in my guys, and that’s how much they believe in me.”
  Waid’s favorite target was receiver Michael Belcik, who caught 14 passes for 168 yards and three touchdowns, including an 82-yard grab. The 82-yard play gave the Indians the lead for good at 4:43 of the third period.
  “At halftime our offensive coaches just kind of got in our heads,” Belcik said of Girard’s 21-point second half. “We didn’t make many adjustments. We knew we had to execute, and Mark does what he does. He’s a great quarterback.”
  Bulldogs quarterback Zach Rogers had a productive showing, finishing 13 of 21 for 262 yards and two touchdowns. He hit Drew Munno for a gain of 33 yards on a fourth-down drive that led to an 11-yard touchdown run by Evan Adair. Busefink’s point-after kick cut the Indians’ lead to the final margin with 7:57 to play.
  Lakeview then forced a three-and-out and regained possession at its 15 with 7:08 to play. The Bulldogs used much of the remaining time to march to the Indians’ 15. A holding penalty moved the ball to the 23. After a 1-yard run by Rogers, the senior quarterback was sacked by Jack Delgarbino on the biggest defensive play of the game.
  “It was a great high school game,” Bulldogs coach Tom Pavlansky said. “The communities should be proud of the kids that participated tonight. We have nothing to hang our heads about. I’m proud of our guys. They battled hard, but it didn’t work out. Congratulations to Girard. They’re a dynamic team, to say the least.”
  Pavlansky was careful in his comments about a two-point conversion pass from Waid to Nino Mayle after one of Waid’s scoring passes to Belcik. Mayle appeared to drop the pass in the end zone, but the official on the scene called it a completion. The replay on WKBN’s telecast showed the ball was dropped.
  Busefink kicked a 35-yard field goal to open the scoring. The Bulldogs recovered a fumble by Clardy on the first play of the ensuing series and scored one play later on a 41-yard pass from Rogers to Connor Greenwood.
  Waid tallied on a 4-yard run, but the point-after kick failed as Girard cut the Lakeview lead to 10-6. Lakeview answered with a 5-yard scoring run by Evan Adair. A 4-yard scoring pass from Waid to Belcik made it 17-12 at halftime.
  Girard took an 18-17 lead on a 15-yard pass from Waid to Belcik in the third quarter. Waid then hit Mayle for the extra two points and a 20-17 lead.
  The Bulldogs regained the lead at 24-20 on a 42-yard scoring pass from Rogers to Noah Olejnik and Busefink’s kick. Girard scored three plays later when Belcik split two defenders on his 82-yard reception. Waid ran in from 5 yards out to extend the lead to 33-24 with the extra point by Bailey McDermott.
  Wednesday, Aug. 8: Cold chicken Cobb salad, wheat bread with margarine, peaches, orange dream cake or angel food cake and milk
  Thursday, Aug. 9: Baked haddock with wine sauce over confetti rice, whole-grain dinner roll with margarine, broccoli, cauliflower, mixed fruit, regular or sugar-free cookie and milk
  Friday, Aug. 10: Meatballs and sauce with stuffed shells, Italian bread with margarine, Italian green beans, Caesar salad with dressing, warm applesauce, ice cream or graham crackers and milk
  Tuesday, Aug. 14: Chicken marsala over rice, Italian bread with margarine, broccoli, carrots, pears, ice cream or vanilla wafers and milk