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.
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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.