|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
review by Bill Binkelman Joined by two accompanists (Nucleo Vega on percussion and Posido Vega on bass), harpist April Stace's debut album is a breath of fresh air in the sometimes murky smog of contemporary instrumental and new age music. Harp 46 is a first rate blend of acoustic harp with a rhythmic underpinning that never quite strays into overt jazz but yet injects enough life and variety into the music to make this CD an immediately accessible yet unique and fresh-sounding recording. Make no mistake about it - this is no Andreas Volleweider rehash. The production is polished, uncluttered and relatively minimal, with no pretentiousness or bombast anywhere on the album. What these three musicians have in mind is simple and unadorned fantastic music. From the opening bounce and cheer of "Another Day," to the pensive and lovely melancholic solo harp tune, "First Snow," to the surprisingly uptempo "When It's Raining," (buoyed by great bass work and wonderful frame drum beats), to the progressive fusion of "Chase," to the driving tempo of "Blue Mountain," and ending with the gentle romantic strains of "All Creatures," Stace, Vega and Vega weave, bob and float along assorted currents of music, performing all of it with style, talent, and innovation. Whether lively or sedate in tempo, happy or somber in mood, the three artists (and Stace in particular, who exhibits adroit skill in both the high-spirited and the low-key numbers) paint a sonic landscape that captivated me from the first listen. I've heard a fair number of harp recordings, but Harp 46 stands head and shoulders above the majority of them. Repeated playings, in particular, increased my enjoyment of this exceptional album. I sure hope Harp 46 is not the last we've heard from Stace, Vega and Vega. The CD earns my highest recommendation as well as a place on my "Best Recordings of 2003" list! |
|
