Search - Dennis Doyle, Thomas Loefke, Kim Robertson :: Faces of the Harp: Celtic & Contemporary

The Harp Revisited

Lenore Van Camp | San Diego, California | 08/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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!"

Wonderful! Don't pass this one by!

Brianna Neal | USA | 05/25/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Great Harp Cd

Rosedove | Cincinnati, OH USA | 12/30/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."