Robbie McIntosh

Wide Screen has an acoustic/electric folk tone of the Nils Lofgren sort. It's atmospheric without sounding over-produced, and has an air of understatement that seems to have come from years of work as a sideman. McIntosh knows how to be noticed, with elegant, subtle nuances rather than pyrotechnics and technique overkill. Former boss Chrissie Hynde contributes vocals on the romantic, angular, guitar-filled "Fire and Flame," Paul Young on the poignant "Separate Tables," and Allison Brown plays stellar banjo parts on "Edge of the Same Old World," a sparse ballad about uncertainty and acceptance. McIntosh, who spent five years with the Pretenders and six with Paul McCartney, has been touted with the overused moniker guitarist's guitarist, but he earns the title here. His playing is subtle and effortless, yet sets one to reeling on songs like "Rat in the Hole," "Leap into Space," and "No Feeling for the Blues." ~ Travis Drageset, All Music Guide