Customer Reviews

Faces of the Harp: Celtic & Contemporary

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Both soothing and invigorating, this is a lush, rich and varied compilation of selections from some of the best harp players and composers in the business! No matter how many times I put this recording on, listening to it is always a treat; because the harps and musical styles featured are so varied, it seems that there's always something new. The artists playing on this recording are many: Dennis Doyle, Thomas Loefke, Kim Robertson, Sylvia Woods, Derek Bell, Ani Williams, Julia Haines, Judith Pintar, and quite a number of harp duos: Laurie Riley and Michael MacBean, Sileas, Sedrenn, Katie LaRaye Waldren and Candace Kreitlow, Northern Lights, Alison Heymann and Alison Kinnaird, and Andy Rigby with Riley Lee. Styles range from traditional Celtic to modern and jazz, North and South American, New Age, and even Japanese, featuring both solo and ensemble harp playing, as well as harp duets and pairings with other instruments such as shakuhachi and hammered dulcimer. I passed on buying this CD several years ago in a bookstore after reading a review that said all those harps on one recording were "cloying". Recently, after coming across it again, I decided to give it a chance and I'm very glad I did; it's become one of the favorites in my collection! Certainly, if you don't like the sound of harp music, you shouldn't buy this or any other harp CD. But if you do, this one is a top pick! You won't be disappointed. Also recommended with equal enthusiasm are "Harpestry: A Contemporary Collection" and "Celtic Harpestry: A Contemporary Collection", both from Imaginary Road Records.

The unbelievable artistry and beauty in this album gives the harp a new sound, reclaiming for this marvelous instrument, too often relegated to the background, a position in the limelight it rightfully deserves.

I'd heard before the harp used in folkloric Mexican, Peruvian and Celtic music, and there are some of these foreign accents brought into this mix. As the title suggests, much of the music has undeniable Celtic strains, but, with the artful addition of other foreign flavors, the sound created by these artists is new, fresh, vital, full of crystal and fire.

My overall impression is awe at the talent brought together into a single CD. Every single selection is so beautiful that it's difficult, almost unfair, to single out any one piece. I'll just say that Spring, the last selection, a hauntingly beautiful, magical combination of Japanese bamboo flute and Southamerican harp, is truly worth waiting for. What a value!

I bought this CD out of curiosity while visiting Wherehouse Music recently. I'd heard other great recordings by Narada, especially of Celtic music, but had yet to see or hear a recording strictly of harp music. Having heard and purchased both "Harpestry" and "Celtic Harpestry" by Imaginary Road Records, I was looking forward to measuring this album against them.

I must say, I'm astonished. If anything, this album has just as much class and beauty as, and even more panache than, the Imaginary Road recordings (which is saying a lot) -- not surprising, since many of the same artists perform on this recording. (I know or or have heard of most of them through our common membership in the International Society of Folk Harpers and Craftsmen; they are among the most renowned harpers in the world.) The variety of moods and attitudes (and even of spiritualities) on this recording ought to supply something for everyone; and unlike some albums of this genre, each artist is given but one selection to play, ensuring that as many artists as possible get to perform.

By all means, get this album. Restfulness it certainly has (after all, this is harp music); but there is also great vigor, *joie de vivre*, moodiness and even mystery here. It's good to know that the bardic and prophetic art of harping is alive and well in this modern, electronic, guitar-driven age.

This cd is great because not only are there some great musicians who play on it, but it's got a little bit of everything: classical and Celtic. I play the Celtic harp but hope someday to "graduate" to the pedal harp. This cd is a great inspiration and well done. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys harp music.

This CD is fantastically beautiful. It instantly became a favorite for me. The music is soothing yet intricate, in a fine combination of sound and melody. I highly recommend it; I plan to give it as a gift as well.

I recieved the CD in excellent condition and my daughter has played it everyday since her birthday on June 9th and enjoys it very much.

This is a really fine collection of various harp players. Aside from Ani Williams far-too-New Agey contribution, all of the tracks on here are very interesting and provide a wide variety of styles and approaches. A very good sampler to expose yourself to players you may not have heard before. Most of the harps on here are not pedal harps, contrary to the photos on the CD. If you are interested in finding out about various celtic/lever harp players, this is a highly recommded CD.

I needed a harp CD, and this album filled the gap nicely. There are a lot of uplifting thoughtful lighthearted and sweet tones here. Some tracks make you feel like you want to do an Irish jig. Others are more subdued. It has a nice blend of content. If you are in the market for a harp CD, check this one out. I am happy with it.

I play this in our store and get asked many times what's playing! Everyone loves it. I am now selling them.