After decades as a journeyman guitarist, David Luck left the road to focus on what he loved best; composing solo works for the acoustic steel-string guitar.
Luck has composed hundreds of instrumental landscapes and song parodies, and is recognized for his mastery of the solo instrument and ironic sense of humor. Recordings of his finger-style arrangements “amaze even the most accomplished traditional guitarists.”
Labeled 'progressive' folk, the music is more expansive. The storytelling is cinematic.
A singular artist, Luck has listeners world-wide.
“. . . the soundtrack of what you wish your life was like.”
“These tunes are whimsical and profound, simple and virtuoso. They are the soundtrack of what you wish your life was like.” – Weston Jones, review of “Eddie Watches Flo”
". . . Luck’s skills have grown to mind-boggling virtuosity. His picking has been called “ballistic,” and his use and knowledge of open-tuning amaze even the most accomplished traditional guitarists.” – David Granger, Outlook Magazine
“Truly beautiful material! The acoustic steel-string guitar, when played by an expert, can really sound as full as an entire ensemble. David is that kind of expert.” – Ernie Mansfield, review of Eddie Watches Flo
“Beautiful and amazing.” – Bryan Bartley, review of B4Ugo
Serial Guitarist
Living in Palo Alto CA in 1959, Luck picked up the guitar and immediately started performing in folk groups. By the time he graduated from high school, Luck had played with bands around San Francisco Bay, along Philadelphia’s Main Line and throughout Southern Illinois. He backed vocalists, taught guitar, turned local folklore into song, and had a weekly live radio show.He developed his guitar style listening to Earl Scruggs, Bert Jansch, John Fahey, Sandy Bull, Gabor Szabo, Wes Montgomery, and Tom Paley. Other early influencers include Huddie Ledbetter, Spider John Koerner, Dave Snaker Ray and Mississippi John Hurt. “They created with unbridled imagination, integrity, heart and in-your-face talent. Their artistry still echos in the hallways of today's great music." While at the University of Illinois-Urbana, Luck played lead in a psychedelic rock band and a progressive folk/jazz trio. He also worked as an assistant film editor which led to commissions to record original music for films and other projects. His second soundtrack, recorded in a basement using a Sears Silvertone amp, won a Golden Cine award.Luck left the road in the mid-1970s, but never stopped composing, arranging and recording. 
A special thanks to Tom who inspired Sweet Lady James, built my confidence in studio and reminded me that — no matter what else I was doing — in my heart of hearts I am a guitar player. A great creative partner and friend. —DL
You’ll never be free, if you only see yourself through the eyes of others. Look image by Taylor Langley Luck. Copyright 2022. All rights reserved.