Aloft

Sean Harkness | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 28, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Windham Hill Records
• ASIN: B00001O2U2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #237,284 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Filled with agreeable melodies and competent playing, the debut solo recording from session guitarist Sean Harkness could hardly be a more pleasant affair. Commanding? No. Rewarding? Only sporadically. But pleasant? Without question. This is a sweet audio truffle intended to blend nicely with after-dinner drinks and civil conversation. Harkness has a thing for kites (hence the album's title), and fittingly the folk- and jazz-tinged compositions he offers on Aloft convey a lighter-than-air mood that is engaging yet dispensable. Playing a variety of guitars and a fretless bass, the nimble-fingered Harkness gently mixes textures (pop, Celtic, flamenco, Caribbean, funk, folk) to arrive at an easy-listening destination that is a modest notch above standard smooth-jazz fare. To his credit, no saxophones invade the guitarist's carefully constructed audio space, and Harkness sometimes breaks from his airplay-friendly formula ("Green Mountain Trail," "Cuchullain's Dream," and "Wynkus McGynkus," a detailed exercise on classical guitar) to remind us that this hired gun possesses an inquisitive, artistic soul of his own. --Terry Wood

From Jazziz

After enjoying chances to shine on Windham Hill's holiday compilations, guitarist Sean Harkness alights on his own with this amiable solo debut. Not just a catchy, New Agey title, Aloft is also an apt description of Harkness' abilities. This guy flies on those acoustic-guitar strings.

Cleanly articulated lines and technical mastery are just the beginning, for Harkness does something rare in any musical genre: He expresses power and passion with soft touch and meaningful glances, knowing that often our most compelling moments are ones that simply brush past. Some of his note shading on "Siempre Conmingo," for example, is heart-stopping. And if the dramatic spiraling dance "Luna Baillando" demonstrates Harkness' talents as a guitarist and composer, "Coconuts," an island tune riding a sly line between parody and homage, shows him to have a sharp sense of humor as well.

Adding to the abundance of spacious melodies are guests Gil Goldstein, whose accordion brings an Old World touch to the gorgeous "Puesta del Sol," and pianist Liz Story, whose delicate interplay on the title track is a memorable highlight. The closing funk of "Harlem River Drive" loses none of its organ-powered vigor with Harkness' nylon strings at the wheel.

--- Larry Nai, JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Guitar heaven, December 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Aloft (Audio CD)

Picked up this CD a week ago -- what a terrific guitarist! I thought the production was top-notch, and the melodies were striking enough to be with me for the rest of the day.

5.0 out of 5 stars just good Sunday morning music, April 14, 2005

By 

Eric Koeller "esoteric eric" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Aloft (Audio CD)

Sean made music with me in Vermont back in 1997. He is as fine as a guitarist as you are likely to find. I highly recommend his project to you.

4.0 out of 5 stars Soft and Soothing, January 22, 2004

By 

"augey" (Chicago IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aloft (Audio CD)

I had heard 3 songs off this CD a few years back, so I purchased it. The songs are all soft and smooth with ever the slightest flamenco accent to them. My favorites are Summer Solstice, Aloft, Cuchullain's Dream, Puesta Del Sol and Coconuts. If you can find this one used somewhere check it out.