Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents Raul Midon

A guitar virtuoso with a velvety, pitch-perfect voice like Stevie Wonder or Al Green? It’s a rare combination. And yet, that’s exactly what Raul Midón has brought to the eight albums he’s released since 1999, from his debut Gracias a la Vida up to Don’t Hesitate, recently released on Artistry Records.

Midón stopped by the Acoustic Guitar studios last week to talk about guitars and play a few tunes from the new album, including the scorching acoustic-soul song “Was It Ever Really Love?,” featured in this installment of Acoustic Guitar Sessions. Blind since childhood, Midón spent hours as a boy practicing scales and learning how to use his instrument as both guitar and percussion. Growing up in a mixed household—his mother was African American and father Argentinean—Midón combines flamenco and other Latin styles with soul, jazz, folk and more.

Before he arrived at Acoustic Guitar’s offices, the singer, songwriter and guitarist had visited the Santa Cruz studio of master luthier Jeff Traugott, who built the Traugott Model R guitar Midón plays in this AG Session.

For more Acoustic Guitar Sessions, check out the archive.