DAN CUNNINGHAM: I Think Of Home

Dan Cunningham

I Think Of Home

© 2003 Dan Cunningham (783707823324)

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Award winning acoustic songs with colorful guitar textures.

notes

2004 VIEWER'S CHOICE WINNER ON KWEEVAK.COM

"We journey, yet feel the tug of home"

Joni Mitchell in a coonskin cap? The Appalachian story-telling tradition is alive and vibrant in the hands of this accomplished guitarist. Wit and whimsy merge to form a rewarding lyrical and musical journey. This “New Appalachian” music pours forth naturally with the essential simplicity of the rural mountains while drawing on a diverse vocabulary of styles.

Songs from the CD have received considerable recognition: One instrumental, DEEP FOREST JOURNEY, was a finalist in the March 2004 Song Of The Year Contest. THE WIND IS UP received Honorable Mention in the Billboard Song Contest. Three song entries from the CD qualified Dan for the finals of the FestvALL division of the Mountain Stage NewSong Contest in June 2005.

I THINK OF HOME recounts our journeys in life and the longings for home we carry with us. The expressive use of acoustic guitar, cello, and celtic harp is punctuated by vocals and occasional bass, drums, fiddle and clarinet. The lyrics take us to a private place seldom visited in the hustle of our day, and still make space for some fun.

This "New Appalachian" music has it's main roots in the authentic expressions of mountain culture. But it also draws on a diverse vocabulary of styles while creating a vivid rural portrait. Part instrumental, part vocal, the lyrics are poetry from a deep well of experience.

At an early age, Dan spent long hours listening to a 50's era Zenith console, playing and replaying the the one 45 rpm single each of Eddie Arnold and Fats Domino, and the 78's of Dinah Shore and Haydn's "Surprise" Symphony.
The imprint on an impressionable young mind was profound, and you might say he never recovered.

Dan drifted in a musical wilderness of rock, country, and jazz, searching for that elusive paradise of musical truth. And then, one late night lying awake in a fleabag motel, Dan saw the light. It turned out to the flickering neon sign from "Murph's Café" next door. As fate would have it, the very next day as Dan was dining at that same café, savoring the only item on the menu he could afford; a small order of chili-cheese fries. His eyes were drawn to the Elvis portraits in black velvet, and just below, a small smeared blackboard with the lunch special, "Murph's Bologna Burger". At that moment inspiration struck and would have knocked Dan's socks off, had he been wearing any. The central question was clear....why top your burger with bologna and not chili? It was time to play real music, music that tops off the meaty taste of life like chili on a flame grilled hamburger still dripping with the satisfying essence of fullness. It was from this point the distinct and varied music he called "New Appalachian" began to come forth. (As along as he stayed away from the fifth).

Dan has performed/recorded with Phil Keaggy (Grammy nominee and Dove award winner), Robin Kessinger (1985 National Flatpicking Champion), Nedra Talley Ross (Ronettes), Phil Madeira (Nashville songwriter, recording artist) Lance DeMers (Hannah's Prayer), John Fischer, Jenny Allinder, Ted Sandquist and others. But it wasn't until the late 1990's that Dan began to concentrate on his own music, culminating in the release of Dan's first CD, INTO THE FLOW, in 2001. I THINK OF HOME builds on that foundation with the inclusion of many vocal tracks, the lyrics like the stories of a wandering stranger revealing the his earthy poetry in music.

The Dominion Post has described Dan's playing as "guitar genius" and by Ben Ohmart of Music Dish as "luscious."

"Dan Cunningham plays his guitar the way a man loves a woman---with heart and caring and affection." Richard Fuller

reviews

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  • refreshing and very nice on the ear.
    author: Nick Murphy

    Probably the best music i will hear for a long time. familiar sounding yet completely original this guy has to get the recognition he deserves.may his songwriting continue and may his music be heard all over the world.

  • Great
    author: Mary Ann

    Fantastic. Dan's style reminds me of Willie Nelson. So soothing and relaxing, Peaceful....I love this C D

  • Beautiful
    author: Erin

    Incredibly beautiful instrumentals and the lyrics are thought provoking. I find myself seinging Hear My Cry as I go about my duties. Wonderful CD!

  • Materful!
    author: Laura T Lynch of Kweevak.com

    This nineteen-track collection is mostly instrumentals featuring a variety of techniques and genres with a heavy emphasis on New Appalachian and folk. The music is magical and played with passion and precision. The CD opens with 'Take Your Time' - a laid back Appalachian jazz tune utilizing a subtle scratch electronic drum mix. 'Across The Summer's Flowered Fields' captures the essence of a wonderful warm summer's day. Dan plays the cello and his wife Julie strums the harp creating an enchanting song. 'Deep Forest Journey' travels on the sweet sounds of the bass, cello and guitar. Dan explains that he used a beat up Yamaha with low-tension classic strings to get a more fluid sound for the melody. 'Someday I'll Visit Spain' features fine flamenco guitars and Dan experimenting with the castanets. It is a song rich in texture and ethnic tones. I Think of Home is a breathtaking collection of acoustic instrumentals and demonstrates that Dan Cunningham is a creative and masterful player!

  • Great Music from Appalachia
    author: Dan McCollum

    A few years back I was honored to be asked by my good friend, Dan Cunningham, to play on his first solo CD, Into the Flow. This was a great instrumental CD which something for everyone. Dan has outdone himself with his second solo CD, I Think of Home. On his new CD, Dan puts words to some of the music that is coming from inside of him. He has a great voice and the songs support the theme of the CD. The songs take us back in time to remembering our younger days of the old homestead, the fields around us, places we would like to go, and fond memories of those we loved, but who are no longer with us. Dan's music is a fantastic blend of folk, country, appalachia, jazz, blues, and classical. It is very difficult to put his music into any single genre because he blends them all together so well. In addition to adding his great voice to the CD, we also get to hear Dan play the cello, classical guitar, steel string guitar, electric bass, and double bass. He plays them all very well. Dan also brought more players into this CD. His wife, Julie, adds her harp to many of the songs, his friend Colleen Grogan does some great percussion work, and many others contributed their talents to this CD. I was very honored to be part of this CD as well. I know you won't be disappointed with this great music from West Virginia.

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