Mary Crowell
|
Love it!
I’ve really enjoyed Jen’s work with the Celtic rock band, Wild Mercy on their albums Furious Fancies, Summer Storm, and Dream of a Far Light. Jen Midkiff’s first solo album, All in Good Time, has been delightful to listen to. Released May 25, 2012 as both Christian & Gospel and Country & Folk, this album defies these genres featuring traditional tunes, songs of the Christian faith, stories of faerie, and science fiction. That said, this album is all about a gorgeous harp playing and fine sweet soprano. (And that should be its own genre right there.)
The opening track, Inis Siar/O Waly Waly, is an instrumental medley of traditional tunes and reminds the listener why Jennifer Midkiff is often known as Harper Jen. The recording quality is wonderful, allowing the high notes of the harp to shine but making sure the lower notes resonate richly.
The next track brings in the excellent fiddler, Amy McNally, who adds sweet longing to “Long Time Comin,’” a song about healing and patience. Debbie Gates’ warm contralto melds richly with Jen’s fine soprano.
Track Three is one of my favorites. Back in the nineties, I fell in love with the song “All the Pretty Little Horses” while playing the horror video game Phantasmagoria. (In the game, it’s sung by a ghost mother to her ghost infant.) Here, I enjoy Jen’s interpretation of it as an instrumental—the harp ostinato with the tune plucked high above it. (That said, It would delight me to hear her sing it!)
Another favorite, “Over the Hills and Far Away,” is an original song of faery featuring yummy cello by Yoonhae Kim Swanson as well as Jen’s extraordinarily sweet soprano and crystalline harp accompaniment.
“Phoenix” is very special. The emotion in Jen’s voice, the way she uses the broken chord accompaniment in her harp, the swap to major at the realization of hope, the arrangement as a whole and the pacing,—all these make it the strongest work on the album in my opinion.
”Not An Open Book” is inspired by Shepherd Book from Firefly and Serenity. Rich harmony from Debbie Gates and Amy’s fiddle captures the musical sound and style of the original television series making the track feel like it could have appeared on a later episode of Firefly. (Had there been one.)
“Grandma’s Prayer/Jerusalem the Golden” is adorable and poignant as we get to hear the next Midkiff generation of musicians, young Madeleine and Katherine as they ask questions and later join Jen singing the chorus.
The closing track, Mantra provides a slow rocking groove featuring Vicki Waterman on flute.
Overall, the mood is introspective, longing, yet serene. This is music to listen to while sipping tea and contemplating life—with optimism. I will be buying several copies for local friends and family as Christmas/birthday/just because presents this year.
Read more...
|
B.G. Helou
|
Like Welcome Rain
Harp music always reminds me of falling rain. Jen Midkiff's "All in Good Time" reminds of the best rainfalls -- her playing is like rain on a still pond, like rain on my face on a summer's walk, like rain on the leaves of forest trees, like rain on the porch roof as I sit with a book and my morning coffee. Her singing gives voice to the rainfall. I've had this collection of tunes on my MP3 player ever since the CD arrived in the mail; it's a welcome and refreshing break from an otherwise hectic day every time I play it.
Read more...
|