Since the late '60s, {$John McLaughlin}'s name has been synonymous with electric {\fusion} guitar. But {$McLaughlin} is equally accomplished on the acoustic guitar; he has a long history of excelling on that instrument, which he plays exclusively on {^Thieves and Poets}. This 2003 release, in fact, isn't {\fusion} in the amplified {\jazz-rock} sense but rather acoustic-oriented {\post-bop} with Euro-{\classical} leanings. {^Thieves and Poets} finds {$McLaughlin} joining forces with two of Europe's {\classical} outfits: {$the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie} (with {$Renato Rivolta} serving as conductor) and the much smaller, guitar-oriented {$Aighetta Quartet}. The former appears on the title track, a lavish, three-movement, 26-minute orchestral work that has hints of Spanish {\flamenco} at times. Meanwhile, {$Aighetta} joins {$McLaughlin} on four {\standards}, all of which are dedicated to pianists he admires; the British guitarist acknowledges {$Bill Evans} on {&"My Romance,"} {$Herbie Hancock} on {&"Stella by Starlight,"} {$Chick Corea} on {&"My Foolish Heart,"} and {$Gonzalo Rubalcaba} on {$Luiz Eca}'s {&"The Dolphin."} But he certainly does so in a personal, introspective way. Yes, {&"My Romance,"} {&"Stella by Starlight,"} and {&"My Foolish Heart"} are warhorses that have been beaten to death over the years -- great songs that have been recorded so many times that some {\jazz} enthusiasts feel there should be a moratorium on them in the 21st century. But {$McLaughlin} is such an accomplished, distinctive musician that he's allowed a warhorse or two (or three). Besides, he plays beautifully on these {\standards}, and his lyricism is extremely individualistic. Hearing {$McLaughlin} (who turned 60 in 2002) embracing {\Tin Pan Alley} songs with a {\classical} guitar group is hardly the same as hearing some 19-year-old, knee-jerk {$Sarah Vaughan} wannabe attempting to squeeze the last drops out of blood from them. It's the difference between mindlessly going through the motions and saying something personal -- and on this memorable CD, {$McLaughlin}'s playing is undeniably personal. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide