On Orkney
© Copyright-HarmoniChro Records, Inc.
(634479014550)
Record Label: HarmoniChro
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Don Wessels,joining a trio of musicians on the Scottish island of Orkney, gently but firmly finds his instrument's place in the Tradition with this emotive set of tunes from Scotland and Ireland. Driven by Gavin Firth's muscular,
nuanced guitar, the fiddle and reeds dance guardedly, then wildly, as they fuse spirits.
On the first track you can hear them exploring, listening to each other and responding as they swoop through the tune. On the repeat, the musicians begin to play off one another, and the uncertainties of the first verse become creative collaborations.
Don has created an approach in contrast to the full-breathed, open-mouth style of the acknowledged master of Irish chromatic harmonica, Eddie Clarke. His playing is further enhanced by the adoption of the ornament vocabulary of the other standard trad instruments, particularly the uilleann pipes.
Just as the button accordion increased the number of articulations available to the melodeon player, Don's style frees the harmonica from the tyranny of its tonic-dominant-tonic restrictions. Thus the palette of ornaments is expanded, borrowing from and interpreting the Tradition with both respect and precision.
Musicians:
Don Wessels -- Chromatic harmonica
Gavin Firth -- Guitar
Bob Gibbon -- Accordion
Fionn McArthur -- Fiddle
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Fantastic music beautifully played
author: Mark
This is a great CD. Not just a brilliant demonstration
of the harmonica's potential, but also moving and tasteful
renditions of well-known and some not so well-known tunes.
The final piece, entitled "Joining of the Spirits" is
worth the price of the CD alone.
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My kind of CD
author: Richard
A super CD. In learning the Chromatic harmonica this CD is not only enjoyable to listen to, it is fun and instructive to play to. Masterful harp playing, the sweetest guitar, what a deal. Twice the fun. Of course the service from CD Baby was the best as always...
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First rate chromatic ...
author: David Van Syoc
Don masters the chromatic harmonica, AND masters the Celtic genre. Delightful in every way. I would have given the fifth star except at times I couldn't tell the difference between the harmonica and accordion. All musicians are top notch, with Don Wessel at the tip top. Great choice of tunes, also...
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enjoying Orkney music
author: Marion
I love Orkney and, therefore, enjoying this lovely CD made in Orkney. Marion
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