"Mighty, mighty nice. That's my comment after my first hearing of Peter Neri's second solo guitar album, Dreaming of Home (New Guitar Music). Neri plays the acoustic guitar and he does so with confidence and a commendable reticence to show off his chops. This mellow collection of a baker's dozen of Neri's own compositions demonstrates that he's a man who has the talent to dazzle, but the good taste to merely play in a manner that should win listeners over a wide range of the population.

Neri, who lives in Vermont, dedicates the album to the joys and pains of raising children from birth to their individual independence. The titles reflect a musician with a sense of humor as well as ten gifted fingers. Songs include "Julia and Geena Go to the Circus," "The Rise and Fall of ThePolka.com" and "Pizza Delivery."

Neri promises all proceeds from the album "will be donated to relief organizations, charities and other causes."
B. P., G21.net The World's Magazine


" Dreaming of Home is a concept album, exploring the course of raising children from birth to adulthood. Largely working from open and altered tunings (only three of thirteen cuts are in standard tuning), Neri creates musical impressions of the stages of life. "Land of the Awakening" opens the album beautifully, capturing the experience of birth into consciousness. Subsequent tracks depict various stages of development such as a first kiss ("Day After the First Kiss"), driving ("Pizza Delivery"), heartbreak ("Blue Night"). Neri is perhaps at his best on slower, moving emotional tunes like "Dreaming of Home", "The Long Goodbye" and "Leaving the Nest". Neri is an excellent guitarist and this well recorded CD shows his talents to full advantage."
P.G., Minor7th.com




Night Visions

"Peter Neri has just released Night Visions, a CD of thoughtful and often stunning solo guitar pieces.  Riding a continuum between classical guitar music and the aural fireworks of a Michael Hedges, (how does he get six strings to do that?) Neri's compositions are powerful listening." 
- Valley News 
 

"Some guys have all the luck. Eleven songs about traffic jams, lullabies, lone warriors and paradise played on an acoustic guitar with a heartache of soul and quiet jazzed-up folk for inspiration. "Unreeling", "Dream of the Little Princess" and "Slap Happy" all explore subtle guitar picking modes and expressions while cruising through the twilight shadows. Neri's got his shades on and his guitar tuned up as he travels the back roads of Kottke, Hedges and Legg. Worth the hitchhike." 
- Dirty Linen 
 

"Intricate.  Technical.  Amazing.  Three words best used to describe Peter Neri's first solo album...New England is home to a number of exquisite guitarists, but Neri isn't just folk.  The Vermont resident has crafted a diverse and solid blend of instrumentals that impress and express.

The album begins with an upbeat and tremendous piece called "Out from the Shadows", and that he does. When Neri dropped the electric and studied the acoustic and classical, he really honed his skills. With this cut, he has held onto his rock upbringing without forsaking the pure sound of an acoustic.

What he's done with his guitar is truly amazing. Neri has command of the percussive need, and the subtleties of string playing. There are times when the sound of the fingers sliding up or down the strings become an important element to a tune; or hitting the pick shield with a palm adds the right percussion, and allowing the strings to play free can be just as emotive. And Neri has control of it all.

With the blend of blues picking like "Still Alive" and folk ballads "Lone Warrior" and "Night Visions," the album becomes an overall gem."
-  Jam Music Magazine
 

"Night Visions is an 11-song compilation of original acoustical guitar instrumentals by Peter Neri.  Neri runs the gamut with a wide range of energy levels, creating a unique sound with this release.  One cannot label his style to one particular genre, as he combines influences from folk, blues, rock and classical music.  From the hard driving opener, Out from the Shadows, to the poignant Lone Warrior, there isn't a single cut any guitar aficionado would resist.  As Peter aptly adds, "Musicians are the vehicles that translate and give structure to a greater mystery." 
- Rock Notes On-Line 
 

"Neri is a great guitarist. ...There is a lot of string slapping and sliding going on many of the numbers.  "Lone Warrior" is the best of the rock/blues/classical fusion on the CD. "Slap Happy" has an infectious calypso beat.  A couple of classical flavored tunes are well done, especially "Dream of the Little Princess" with violin accompaniment. "Party in the Hen House" has a John Fahey feel with lots of bottle slide work. "Traffic Jam" is a mixture of jazz/classical and country with some nice violin by Spencer Lewis. 

The album is hard to pin down. Just when you have your rock/blues mind set in place, Neri switches to Segovia mode. If you get used to that, he throws in a little flamenco and a little jazz or country. The key to enjoying this album is not to approach it with a preconceived notion. Just sit back and take it in. You'll find yourself digging it out for another listen." 
-  Folk and Acoustic Music Exchange 
 

"The songs (from Night Visions) get better and better every time I listen to them.  Scenic, visionary, emotional, thoughtful, intense, mature, free, alive, spontaneous...one moment I'm close to tears and in another I want to dance across the room.  This package is complete!" 
- M.P. Milford, Connecticut 
 

"Lullaby (from Night Visions) couldn't be played by someone that hasn't had a baby - a strong sense of caring and feeling secure.  Lone Warrior (also from Night Visions) touches my Navajo soul...spiritual, proud, strong, unyielding and betrayed." 
- G.B. Clinton, Connecticut 
 

"The album is lovely. I like your style of starting with a catchy melodic/rhythmic motif, and then developing into more complex harmony & composition. The rhythmic pieces are strongly rhythmic; the pretty pieces are very pretty, but never fall into saccharine sweet ick. Good subtle use of studio effects, not overdone. Terrific technique- excellent right hand control of tone, dynamics, percussive techniques; technique never overshadows the composition." 
-  B.S.  Westminster, Maryland  
 

 "Sensitive, bold, witty, even heartwarming...most of all, I hear pure joy.  It translates for me as clear as sunshine.  (Night Visions) is a CD that feels whole in concept, intention and musicianship." 
- D.A. Guilford, Connecticut 

"Your album is inspiring, beautiful.  I feel a deep connection to the music.  It's really touched me and that's on the first two listenings." 
-  P.R.  Cheshire, Connecticut 
 

And from overseas...  
 

"Great music!" 
-  T.A.  Tampere, Finland 

"You are a very good guitarist." 
-  P.F.  Osnabruck, Germany 

"Bravo!" 
-  F.M.  Bologna, Italy