What are folks -- DJs, fellow artists, and fans -- saying about Roberto Dalla Vecchia and Sit Back?

Roberto is an artist under a steady evolution. He is an interpreter of flatpicking technique maintaining a great respect towards traditional American masters and adding his own personal touch and European elegance.
Beppe Gambetta

Okay. I'm a stupid American who thought that only Americans flatpicked guitar. But then this guy from Italy - Beppe Gambetta - shows up. Okay. "A fluke," I thought. Uh, that would be wrong. Roberto Dalla Vecchia is another monster talent from Italy. I was stunned the first time I listened to his CD, Sit Back. It's aptly named: I just sat back. I have never heard 36 minutes of music go by so quickly!

First, Della Vecchia has a mastery over tone and a grasp for sound quality that is positively awesome. And coming from across the pond, he's not bound by the strictures we on this side sometimes place on ourselves. Many of his tunes are alternate tunings (detailed in the liner notes), and on two tunes ("Whispering Grove" and "Sultry Day") he's got a cello accompanist, and on two others ("Sultry Night" and "Fly High") he's got a bassist playing with him. There is some very serious musical artistry going on here, but artistry that is immensely listenable.

Of course, not all his tunes are "familiar favorites." There's a good reason for that, as well. With the exception of a deliciously slow version of "Fisher's Hornpipe/Scotland," 9 of the 10 cuts on this CD are Dalla Vecchia originals.

No, this is not a "flatpicking bluegrass guitar" CD. It's acoustic guitar music-and superb acoustic guitar music at that, with the same jaw-dropping sheer artistic expertise that the Grisman Quintet or Leo Kottke exhibited when they first appeared. And this is Roberto Dalla Vecchia's second CD.

Finally, for the sake of my ego as a flatpicker, I hope there are only two of these guys. These Italian flatpickers are just scary! This CD - if you can find it - is a absolute must buy!all.
Chris Thiessen, Flatpicking Guitar Magazine