Every once in awhile when browsing through CD bargain bins of forgotten recordings a lost treasure can be found; such is the case with Singing the Storm. Originally released quietly in 1996, it slipped through the cracks and disappeared, known only by those who were fortunate to hear of it. Well, it finally made it to my collection and what a great addition it is.
The creative force behind the album is Scottish harpist Savourna Stevenson, who wrote and arranged all the music, for harp, upright bass and vocalist. Stevenson is a veteran of folk music circles in the United Kingdom, and at the time of this project her profile was high enough to merit the interest of English folk singing icon June Tabor. Tabor's singing is featured in half the tracks of the album. These tracks are Scottish and English poetry set to music by Stevenson. The rest of the tracks are instrumentals. Danny Thompson provides tactful upright bass accompaniment to complete the ensemble.
Stevenson's music is simply a pleasure to hear. She separates herself from the average folk harp player by tastefully incorporating elements from other genres - on this recording, at times I can hear touches of fado, at others touches of jazz - indeed at times her tone and feel here remind me of the great jazz harpist Dorothy Ashby. The upright bass adds a pleasant depth that is often missed in solo harp performance. The overall feel of the album is peaceful, meditative, with a special richness, perfect for a quiet rainy afternoon. But you don't have to rely on my description, the samples available give a good picture of what you'll find here. Highly recommended. (Amazon review)
