People Are Talking
Welcome to the testimonials section, this is where you can
find out what people are saying about my music, guitars, the
website, shows, and more!
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"Ed Sparks is an accomplished guitarist as well as vocalist. His music has
an inviting quality to it with vocals that are pure and heartfelt. His re-
creation of earlier music is familiar yet amazingly new and therefore his
performances create a place of comfort and excitement - kind of like
going home. Keep coming back Ed."
Tish - Crofton City Limits Coffee House
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"Your wife buys guitars for you? You're living my dream."
Jim, somewhere in cyberspace -
Edward - equally nice site, and really nice collection! The cellist (she's also our bassist) in my band is my wife, which means I never get into trouble for gigging too much. ;-) Craig Fox, New York
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"Checked out your site. Loved it, especially Fire and Rain
You are an amazing musician!" Sam King, Georgia -
"Beautiful website, Edward! Very professional and interesting."
Jody , Georgia -
"Checked out your site...nice stuff." Ed Rhoades, Pennsylvania
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“Hello, Edward! First of all, I was very impressed about your bass guitar. Then I heard some of yours songs. Please accept my congratulations. Loved your site.” Luis Motta da Silva, Portugal
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"I checked out your site - very cool. I love my Guilds as well. Nice (guitar)
collection! Would love to see them all displayed at once."
Dan Coplan, California
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"Looking good.....keep up the good work.. I’ve always wondered if the
Good Lord has a special place in his heart for musicians....since they
always seem to seek and strive for perfection....falling short of the
mark....but never giving up!! I checked out your webpage, looks great!"
Danny aka Dano Franco, West Virgnia
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"Hey Edward, I have been to your website a few times but missed the
guest book. I will go back. Enjoyed your videos. I bet its amazing to play
along side your boys. The cello sounds great with acoustic guitar. "
Max Burmeister, Georgia
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"I stumbled across your web site when I did a search for info on one of my
guitars -- a 1978 Ovation Balladeer -- and up popped your picture. It
looks just like my guitar! It's kind of neat to find some other soul in the
world playing the same instrument. I love all your pictures. Gosh, my
wife thinks I have a lot of guitars! I need to show her your collection as
well as your "love one woman/many guitars" t shirt."
Chris Hartzog, Seattle
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"I checked out your website; very good stuff. I like your collection."
Roger Hill, Georgia
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"Thank you so much for the sending of the Box set of your CD'S. I just
started to listen to it. Your music is exactly what I have been looking
for. I can't thank you enough for sending them to me...it was very
generous of you. You sure can. I cant express how much your music has
inspired me even more then I am now. It is so refreshing to hear MUSIC.
Keep up the awesome work. When we head down maybe we can catch
one of your shows. I will sure be to share the music with my brother in-
law he really liked your You Tube videos."
Greg, Pennsylvania -
"The CDs arrived Friday...My wife and I have been enjoying them in the car. In addition to your performance-ship (new musical term), I really enjoy your talent for engaging and image-y lyrics and your flair for the dramatic. "Moments, Seconds & Minutes," "A Little Time," "Three Daisies in a Jar," and "No Medium," are my favorites."
Walt Pilcher, North Carolina
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"Love the production notes (that came with "Ghosts of Sessions Past")
you've had an interesting life thus far! Love the graphics! My 3 favs
are: " Hello Woman," " She was a Lady," &" Shadows." Well they're now
downloaded to my pc so I can listen to them & surf the web at the
same time lol! I'll cherish them!" Barbara Ann, Illinois
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"Just a note to you folks to thank you all for a very pleasant evening.
It is always a pleasure to share the stage with talented musicians and
make pleasant noise. Keep pickin' and a grinnin'!"
Dan Zalonka, Maryland
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In reference to seeing the "The Lion, Song for David" video:
~ "I wish I could hear this (The Lion, Song for David) in my front
room...absolutely feckin brilliant!! Tell me you have that recorded
or something, would love to get it..." Yupsham, Ireland
~ "The Lion" performance was exceptional. I jumped to your site looking
for more! Your recent Loggins & Mesina's "Watching the River Run" was
great, as were all of your videos. Thank you for sharing."
Christopher Cozad, South Carolina
~ "The Lion Video..."Edward, awesome tune! Very Crosby-esque, and I
love the lion metaphor. Don't get Crosby mad, he'll fight ya with one
hand behind his baaaack.... (ruff)." Chris B., New Jersey
~ "Wow! You were definitely channeling Crosby on this one!! I have a
couple of originals sort of inspired by David Crosby. A couple of years
ago I sat one table over from David and his wife at a breakfast place.
I share the same hometown with David Crosby. Gil, California
~ "Very nice, great sounding voice and Guitar. I guess the Oxbow didn't
have the same policy as the Bluebird here in Nashville...No talking
while the singer sings or you go home." Terry Kinakin, Nashville
~ "This would have been a great song for David Crosby to record himself.
Performing and recording live can be a challenge technically, but your
guitar and voice came thru well, despite the "distractions". Thanks for
posting it!!" Terry, Georgia
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In reference to hearing the "Hello Woman" recording:
~ "What a piece of work!!!!!! Magnificent....as good as or better than
anything on GAC, CMT, VH1...by any artist on any label. The lyrics
tell a story, the vocals are super, the playing is spectacular and the
sound is first class...Nice...real nice." Dano & Trish, West Virginia
~ "Your Neil Young style song (Hello Woman) is wonderful and being the
Neil fan I am it certainly stands out on first listen. Your voice is
beautiful-at times it sounded like Dan Fogelberg to me and there
was one song where it echoed David Crosby." Jeff Lustick, New York
~ "Good song, polished and professional. 'Nuff said."
Ken Rogers, Georgia
~ "Love It!...This sounds a lot like Neil Young style of playing and your
vocal sounds like a cross between Neil and David Crosby!! Some nice
leads layered in there too! A great CSN feel to this one! I have listened
to your songs here and you have a new fan in me. You are a very
accomplished pro player and you inspire me. Thanks for your music!!"
Gil, California
~ "You've out done yourself on this one. Best song, bar none, I've heard
anyone post. Everything is top notch...The mix is very good. Very well
done. Sign me up friend, I'm with you." Ron Terry, California
~ "I really like this! Great song. Though it's long, I didn't lose interest.
Totally channeling Neil Young...The "hook" to me is musical and I really
dig it. The rhythm guitar and the cool leads, and how it all fits with
the melody...Definite keeper. I will listen to it more."
Leanne Regalla, Pennsylvania
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In reference to hearing the "Light at the End of the Tunnel" recording:
~ "I listened to this 4 times at least. I really like your stuff.
The arrangements are really good. I love the harmonica in this.
It's well placed. The song is very powerful and orchestrated, which
is unexpected - but the harp gives it such a coal mining song feel.
The story is great and you paint clear pictures. The lyrics are just a
teensy bit awkward in places, in other words there are times when
I feel they don't really flow with the song....
But that doesn't stop me from listening again and really enjoying it,
when I take my "reviewer's" hat off. I agree your songs tend to be
long, but I for one do not lose interest.
This carried me along. Leanne Regalla, Pennsylvania
~ "I'm not a songwriter, but when I have time I check out the songs on
the songwriting forums. I recently listened to the "Light at the end
of the Tunnel" and I have to tell you that it just ripped my heart out.
I could picture the story and feel the pain. It reminded me of how I
felt when I first heard "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald". Really
great song - thank you for posting it."
Donna Zitzelberger, California
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In reference to hearing the "Uncharted Skies Suite" recording:
~ "This is right up my street, I love it. top quality." Yupsham, Ireland
~ "Slow to start yes but I have to say I truly admire the work, patience,
and talent it took to put that together. I'm happy if my verses
transition smoothly into the chorus. I see it a beautiful work of art."
Max Burmeister, Georgia
~ "Wow! This song has a certain “yes” quality that I like very much.
Man, I like this one-multiple movements-yes. I can appreciate the
effort it took to put this together. Beautiful. Elegant!"
Ron Terry, California
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In reference to seeing "Watching the River Run" video:
~ "Encore!" John Wilson, Pennsylvania
~ "I like it. Makes me want to pick up my guitar and play along."
Ron Terry, California
~ "Great performance, lovely tone, great singing and musicianship!"
"Dweezil", UK
~ "Great guitar sound, I like your style. Singing was great also your voice
has a smooth quality to it." Ed Ballard, Arkansas
~ "That came out really nice. I know it can be difficult to get a good
recorded sound in that setting, but it came out very clean and
balanced. Great vocals and mando too. Gotta love that Gibson
sound, don't you? Robert Hancox, Texas
~ "Excellent, I remember hearing this song and choking and tearing up
because this is the sound, message, & spirit of the music that I
love. Thank you!" John, Nashville
~ "Checked out your new video of "Watching the River Run" - really nice
job! I love the combination of guitar and mandolin and the voices
blend so well!" Donna Zitzelberger, California
~ "You and Raymond have a great song ....this is my kind of music
...folksie style and super entertaining. Great show."
Dano Franco, West Virginia
~ "I've listened to a couple of your songs and you sound great - your
Watching the River Run video is great. One of my favorite tunes. I'll
visit your site when I have a few more minutes to spend some time."
Bob Hofman, Maine
~ "It's always been one of my favorites by Loggins and Messina, and the
two of you do it justice. Good job!" Ken Rogers, Georgia
~ "Just watch your new video. I really like that song. Good Job."
Jim Masters, Virginia
~ "Very nice, very gentle arrangement." Judy Williams, Georgia
~ "Saw your new video - nice website. Would love to see you and Patrick
play again - maybe even join you for a song or two."
Mark & Sandy Loepker, Hawaii
~ "Just watched "Watching The River Run". Very nice, especially
considering the guy with the camera was just standing in front of the
speakers." Gary Furlow, Oregon
~ "I really like your sound. It seems we come from the same generation
of players, it is always nice to meet players whose playing ages like a
fine wine. Beats the alternative." Jay Whitham, North Carolina
~ "Just on your site and watched the video of "Watching the River Run."
I love Loggins and Messina and that was a really good version with
excellent harmonies. I also watched (the videos) Here Comes The Sun
and Fire and Rain. They truly sounded as good as the originals if you
ask me. If I closed my eyes I would have believed it was George
Harrison or James Taylor playing guitar. It's neat that your sons play
with you. My younger son plays drums and some guitar, played in a
band during his high school years and every once in a while will sit in
on drums with some people I play with. I think I enjoy those times
more than any others!!!" Jeff Lustick, New York
~ "Edward, I'm blown away, speechless, overwhelmed. Really, not bad.
Good tempo, fantastic lyrics. A winner. Now don't let this go to your
head, but you have done a good job with this one. Keep-it-up. You
have a style I can't figure out." Steven A. Bradford, Texas
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In reference to hearing the "I Need a Little Time" recording:
~ "Are you singing the harmonies also. I love the way you have the lead
and rhythm panned during the instrumental break. I love the way you
play your leads-they really fit perfectly into the mood of your songs.
This song is very pretty and really sums up something a lot of people
of our "vintage" might be thinking about-you are able to put it into
words." Jeff Lustick, New York
~ "I really like the song. If you wouldn't mind I would add it to my
repertoire and play it in the local folk scene when I perform."
Jim Moffatt, Canada
~"I like it a lot. Wonderful message - it sure speaks to me. I like that it's
uptempo instead of melancholy, so it's optimistic and realistic at the
same time. Really like the mandolins too."
Walt Pilcher, North Carolina
~"I really love your song here! :) yup, we all need a little more time." Christie Donnelly, Indiana
~"really really nice man, I enjoyed the tune, enjoyed the lyrics. What
more does a good song need?" Ron Bousso, Israel
~"Great song! It's just one of several off of your CD that I have loaded on
my iPhone. Very nicely done. One of my favorites."
Ron Terry, California
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In reference to hearing the "She Was A Lady" recording:
~ "Wow, heavy! Your voicing is cool. I was hoping, near the end, for
some dramatic plea by the killer to the cops, maybe in a panicked
voice, or maybe calm and cool, almost like spoken word. Maybe just
his musings on why he did it, how he could do it, why he feels he is
actually innocent, etc. Something to coincide with the sounds of
sirens and cop radios. Thanks for posting this, it is a tight song with
obviously a lot of thought put into it! Your recording quality is very
well done! I like how you hit the high notes perfectly."
Paul Prusha, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
~ "I just listened to "She Was a Lady"...It's often difficult to capture that
kind emotion in a song, but you've done an excellent job with this one.
And I agree, the story is all too common today. I don't think I could've
written this one...great job!" Jim Scanlan, Georgia
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In reference to the "Here Comes The Sun" video:
~ Congratulations! Nice playing (that didn't surprise me), good singing
(oh yes, that surprised me, you really can sing) and a most enjoyable
stage presence, simple, modest, and effective on carrying the idea
in the lyrics. I really enjoyed this video. Luis Motta da Silva, Italy
~ You do this song so well-the guitar could be George channeling through
your fingers. Beautiful!!! Jeff Lustick, New York
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"Just a note to say thanks for being a friend and I am honored by your
request. I have listened to your songs here and you have a new fan in
me. You are a very accomplished pro player and you inspire me.
Thanks for your music!! I just started back up playing again in 2006
and now I wish I never quit!" Gil, California
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"I keep seeing your name pop up...I live in Southern England. I enjoyed
your video re David Crosby. Strangely enough there was a program on TV
over here recently featuring Roger McGuinn and Judy Collins among
others. It all seems to come back round."
Paul J Openshaw, United Kingdom
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"I just listened to all the songs you recently posted and all I can say is
WOW! Every one of them stands alone as worth listening to-the writing
and performance are top notch in my opinion. "Uncharted Skies"...all I
can say is I think it is hauntingly beautiful. There are parts of it that
remind me of some Moody Blues stuff-it is exceptional in my opinion.
On first listen "She Was A lady" jumps out as one of the prettiest songs
I've heard in a long time. I also love the harmonica on "High Cost Of
Living." Wonderful stuff-I will be back to listen many more times!!!
Please let us know when the CD might be available."
Jeff Lustick, New York
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"Nice Website and a great Guitar collection! Your own distinguished
instruments looks great like the Eagle Custom 8-String Tenor, Piccolo
mandolin and Falcon 12 string. It's been a pleasure to listen to your
songs, you've got a great voice Ed. Songs like Uncharted Skies are very
nice to hear and not to common these days I reckon, more like that
please." Christer Mellaker, Sweden -
"Now those are some fine, fine lookin' pieces of wooden artistry...and
the music's comin' out of 'em real sweet, too. Signature vox (vocals)...
your voice has it's own unique quality. Both in terms of sound and
phrasing/ delivery. I don't think to myself: "Hmmmm...sounds like...."
You've definitely been around. Must be nice to play on an ax you built
yourself." Bob Prince, New York -
"Impressive website and your singing and videos are much more
Good luck, I wish I could live in the US and come to hear you..."
Yaron Naor, Israel -
"I checked out your website - pretty cool. And, MAN, do you have some
guitars! Nice guitars, too. Love the songs. Fantastic!"
Scott Brown, Illinois -
"Interesting website you have, much nicer than the average and visually
pleasing format. I am impressed." Brian Sutcliffe, Indiana -
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"Great looking Guilds!" Charlie Bolt, Kentucky
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"I love your collection of Gibsons!" Norm Jacobs, British Columbia
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"Your voice is pure gold, Edward ... beautiful, great song and pickin'." Kirk Lerange, Australia
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"Big fan of your playing, your guitars, & your general music enthusiasm!" Clay Wolff, Illinois
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"Hi Edward, Great website! You have created some great music. I will
definitely be checking in from time to time. I listened to your songs
posted on AG. Their great! I can hear some of your influences like Jim
Croce and James Taylor. I hear a little Neil Young on “ Hello Woman”. I
look forward to hearing more. I went to your WEB site. Looks great!
Please post where you’ll be gigging through out the year. We camp some
and you’re not that far away. I’d like to catch one of your shows."
Jim Masters, Virginia