Kent's skill at arranging his versions of these songs is almost as impressive as his playing. He manages to capture their soul and so many of the features that evoke the originals while choosing the elements to drop so carefully that you rarely notice anything missing. Add that to the kind of technical skill that only grows from talent nurtured with immense practice and dedication to the craft, plus a big splash of groove and clearly feeling the animating spirit in each song, and you get... beauty.

He's truly gifted. And me being an older guy too, 65, I really appreciate Kent's song selection. He's got an old soul. He's a master at age 19.

I think we’re all united in awe at Kent Nishimura’s interpretation and execution of these classic compositions.

Just the harmonics as he breaks into the chorus, the only word I can think of is sublime.

Kent is the Shohei Ohtani of acoustic guitar. Then again, maybe Shohei is the Kent Nishimura of baseball. Kent is a one-man orchestra.

A retroactive thank you for featuring Kent and introducing him to me, he was popping up in my suggestions but I didn't check him out until you did your reactions. What an absolute virtuoso talent, there are a lot of great fingerstyle guitarists on youtube with immense talent but in my opinion lack the maturity to not overplay, sometimes to a ridiculous degree. It might bait the clicks -- and their subscriber and view counts reflect that -- but it doesn't come close to Kent's mastery of both technique and musicality. His groove and touch are several levels beyond anyone else I've seen. And he's only 20 years old! His career is one of the things to look forward to, in a time when it sometimes seems we're not looking forward to much good. Kent needs a million subscribers and to tour the US.

Kent really captures the emotions of the original piece. Just beautiful.

Thanks for the reaction. Enjoyed all three you've done on Kent. It's amazing that he's only 19 years old and yet most, if not all, of his cover selections were from the 80's or earlier

such clarity, he makes it sound as if a band is backing him. The way he hit the harmonic notes wow ✌👍

Once again you find the best of the best! Kent Nishimura plays with such sublety of expresion while holding on to virtually every nuance of the original. So beautiful!

He is choosing music from the greatest times and artists. Kent rocks!

I'm 65 and I still remember the first time I heard Rocket Man , that was the first Elton John song I heard and it is still my favorite.

I hope you can see his live performance someday!!🙌🏻 Kent is a young guy but I think there is a bearded god of guitar inside him😆

Please forgive the pun but he shot this one into orbit. IMO these are beyond covers. These are tributes. Bravo Maestro, Bravo Jeff for another great pick!

I was reading about you in your description. I have Eltons and most everyone else's piano books from our era. I was 17 going to UNR (University of Nevada Reno), and a prodigy pianist and classic opera singer. I sang backup at the casinos back then for many acts... actually Toni Tenille and Daryl Dragon wrote the backup for me for come in from the rain that Melissa Manchester let Toni cover. I've traveled all over the world singing with symphonies. I've been blessed with my music and teach piano lessons here in Yuma Arizona. I love all your videos and new artists you're introducing. BTW a friend of mine is friends with Tori Holub. I could go on and on and on and on...like Journey!! Thanks again!!

I really enjoy your reactions… The analysis you provide is spot on… I would recommend Kent‘s version of Careless Whisper. I’ve been watching Kent for almost 3 years and I am always totally amazed speaking from a guitar player’s point of you. Amazing and great reaction.

Jeff, your reviews on Kent are the best on KZfaq. The way you talk about the complexity of these arrangements, the flawless execution, the beauty of the music itself, etc etc. It’s almost as if I needed to hear someone talk about this in order to validate that what I’m seeing and hearing is real. Thank you and I look forward to future videos like this!

Just amazing!! such a treat to watch this young man play that instrument.

Simply said...ELEGANT interpretation.

Unique, spectacular and almost unbelievable. 👍🏻🇺🇸

This right here separates Kent from other fingerstyle guitarist. The way he plays it with soul and the feels of it.

It's a must that you check out his purple rain, it's my personal fave

Amazing assessment, playing guitar everyday myself for 3 hours +, you and I see the AMAZING thing that he does with a guitar. Thanks for your video

He never fails to amaze... and all you´ve said.

He really puts some serious thought into the tunes he does... just LOVE it!

So well described.

I saw you tear up, and I totally get it. I feel the same.

Simply beautiful.

Para mim, Kent Nishimura é um ET, toca muito e tem um jeito único de tocar. Sensacional.

Adding bass strings is honestly genius! The feeling you get from the low end mixed with the high end makes the “vocal” parts really sing. Also just thinking, since he is using bass string on perhaps the low 3-4 strings, the looseness from those strings really helps add to the percussion elements of his arrangements!

Thanks, Jeff. I can relate; I'm an old guy, too!

Kent is the best in the world.

do a review of him playing " what a fool believes" its also mind blowing..

You need to see him do purple rain by prince

Don't know who came up with the phrase but it fits: "You don't practice until you get it right, you practice until you can't get it wrong." Great reaction but I gotta say, I'm kind of missing Angelina. Hopefully I heard right that she's dropping an album soon. Happy new year to all.

As you are such a great Kate Bush fan you’ve really got to do her cover of ‘Rocket Man’. She was asked to do something as a contribution to the Elton John / Bernie Taupin tribute album ‘Two Rooms…’ and chose this song. Elton John was so pleased with it that he made it the first single release from the album. Cool fun black and white music video, which includes a commemoration (candle and guitar) for Kate’s dear friend and guitarist of many years Alan Murphy who played on the track but who died before the video was shot.

Wundervoll. Krazzy Mann

Just subbed bec I'm a Kent fan. Now I'm your fan . Please react to Just Once by James Ingram. This is the first time I saw Kent played on YT and never looked back.

Beautiful indeed 👌

Kent!!!!!!

Perfection.

Coming back to this BEAUTY transcending between gently carrying out Christmas with all the love and gratitute 🙏🏼💜❤️🌟🕯️🥰 …. and preparing for New Years Eve …. and that, my dear friend, will include Hollander and your album “Circles” 🎵🎶🌈🥰💫🌟✨🤩 sending you and your buddies alll the best wishes for the new year to come - Happy New Year💫🌟✨🌈🥳🎊🎉🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🥰🤗. Ps: Maybe accompanied by ABBAs “Happy New Year” and “Thank You for the Music”😉😄🥰.

Please check out his cover of Chicago's 25 or 6 to go.

He can do that because he has animated robotic right hand from the future..I have never seen anybody with movement like that.

If I heard this in an elevator, I would expect it was produced music. Seeing him play it, is nothing at all like the elevator version. It's another thing entirely.

I’m always the first one liking ❤❤❤

Бесподобно.

You can't really bend notes on a piano like you can on a guitar, and those little harmonics slotted in just the right place.

Great as usual Jeff. Here is another guitarist that I just came across that you might be impressed by. Her name is Miumiu and she is a bit special I think. I hope you can find the time to take a look, even if it can't fit into your reacting time line (kzfaq.info/get/bejne/l6d1fdObtdy9ZGw.html).

I enjoy so much your 3 reviews of Kent as there is so much depth as well. I want to bring to your attention to his most recent 20yo Birthday live and some of the clips are up in the KZfaq. He did a few numbers from Burt Bacharach but I truly enjoyed his Purple Rain ( kzfaq.info/get/bejne/aZ5-nbyQlpadqWg.html) and Pretzel Logic (kzfaq.info/get/bejne/l9SKe66imp-8aGg.html) Think you might like them too 🥰

I see he cut his nails… possible girlfriend?