ANELA LAUREN
''HARPIN' ON THE DEAD''
MAY 31 2013
68:55
**********
1 Ripple 04:43
2 They Love Each Other 05:34
3 Eyes of the World 08:05
4 Box of Rain 05:22
5 Franklin's Tower 08:04
6 Black Muddy River 06:24
7 Lady With a Fan/Terrapin Station 10:31
8 Scarlet Begonias/Fire On the Mountain 15:35
9 Attics of My Life 04:34
**********
Anela Lauren (celtic harp, lead vocals) is a classically trained pianist from age 4. She has played the celtic harp professionally since 2001 on the island of Kaua'i for a wide variety of events and festivals. She is well known for her unique arrangements and highly improvisational style. Anela plays a Thormahlen Swan 36-string floor harp. This is her second CD. Her first, "Mele from the Harp", is an instrumental interpretation of traditional and contemporary Hawaiian songs.
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Stephen Inglis (electric guitar) is recognized as one of the most diverse artists in Hawaii today, Stephen is equally at home on the acoustic & electric guitar. The art of Ki Ho’alu; Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar, has been at the heart of his music in recent years. In 2012 Stephen joined Hawaiian music legend Dennis Kamakahi, and was honored for Waimaka Helelei; 2012 Nā Hōkū Hanohano “Slack Key Album of the Year”. Stephen’s composition “Redwood Slack Key” was featured on the Grammy Nominated and Nā Hōkū Hanohano award winning album, “Hawaiian Slack Key Kings Volume 2″ in 2009. His music has also graced Film and Television projects like, NBC affiliate KHON’S: “Hawaii’s Saint Damian: A journey of Sacrifice”. Slackinʻ on Dylan, his last solo project, won the Hawaii Music Award for “Folk Album of the year”.
-----
Tom San Filippo (acoustic guitar, harmony vocals) is an active session and touring musician based out of New York and is the lead guitarist of the Grateful Dead tribute band "HALF STEP". He was exposed to the Dead at a young age and considers them to be a huge musical influence. Harpin' gave Tom the opportunity to put a fresh spin on music that is so close to his heart.
-----
Will Lydgate (bass, harmony vocals, studio manager and recording engineer) is a bass player, music producer and music teacher based on Kaua'i. Will graduated Summa Cum Laude from Berklee College of Music in Boston and plays reggae, jazz, soul, blues, country, funk, pop and R&B with talent and authenticity. Will also manages Kauai's Steelgrass Recording Studio, the island's only state-of-the-art recording facility.
-----
Andrew Vastola (drums, recording engineer, mixing, mastering) was given his first drum set at age 3. Since that time, he has developed into a very versatile player. Having played drums in various original rock bands in Denver including doing multiple US tours, Andrew’s background stems primarily from classic and indie rock. Coming from Colorado’s premiere recording studio, Rocky Mountain Recorders, Andrew has done engineering work with artists such as Rhianna, Chris Brown, Snoop Dogg, Faith Hill, Nathaniel Rateliff, Meese, Young Love and many more.
**********
REVIEW
Dylan Muhlberg, www.gratefulweb.com
Grateful Dead music continues to inspire and muse generations of contemporary musicians. When the band played, their music fostered an experience each night that transformed the ordinary bounds of everyday life beyond possibility. A trip into the transcendental. Even if the words and melodies were familiar to followers, something about their approach of spontaneity and improvisation combined with an overarching reworking of Americana made the music familiar and new simultaneously. Maybe this is why musicians of all colors, creeds and backgrounds feel it necessary to put their own spin on the music that inspired them so. Though many were covering Grateful Dead music years before this, it wasn’t until the Deadicated release in 1991 that artists of high merit collaborated on a full-on Dead Tribute album. Musicians as diverse as Elvis Costello, Los Lobos, and Burning Spear contributed a variety of different spins and styles to their favorite Dead Tunes. Since then, a plethora of covers projects, and various Dead-Incarnation tributes have emerged. Some aim for authenticity to the original Garcia/Weir/Lesh/Hart/Kruetzmann sound while others add their own attributes that accent and enhance certain flavors and textures in the Dead’s soundscape.
Dead fans can be overly opinionated, but it’s because they are often more exposed to a larger musical universe and tend to appreciate jazz, world, and blues music more than the average rock fans. Another recent quality release will likely become a favorite amongst open-minded Deadheads. Harpist Anela Lauren has been a Deadhead for many years and lends her focus of instrumentation toward blending Hawaiian and Celtic music, both cultures that furthered the possibilities of string music beyond the more oridianry Euro-Centric styles. Her second CD release is already being touted and embraced in the Deadhead community. Grateful Dead historian and longtime host of the Grateful Dead Hour David Gans has been playing “Harpin’ on the Dead” on his program for the last couple of months. Gans in addition has such musical empathy toward Lauren that the two are set to tour together this October on the West Coast. Get Ready for some new quality contributions.
Harpin’ on the Dead is a brilliant variation on the music of primarily Hunter/Garcia with a cover of Phil Lesh’s “Box of Rain” included too. Her assured vocals sound like a mother’s lullaby coursing her listeners to reevaluate what they think they might already understand. Her harp textures liven up acoustic versions of classic ballads and laments such as “Ripple”, “Attics of My Life”, and “Black Muddy River.” A particular high moment is an electrified version of “Eyes of the World” with guitar accompaniment from Stephen Inglis. The two bounce back and forth allowing the melody to present itself with the different instrumentation than we are used to. A peppy version of “Franklin’s Tower” is enunciated with a woman’s special touch that Robert Hunter’s fairytale like lyrics are relived by. No doubt that this rendition of “Terrapin Station” reveals Baroque-esque textures with the Harp taking on the usual turns and changes. You have never heard “Lady with a Fan” played this way before.
Do yourself a favor and pick up “Harpin on the Dead” and support Anela when she goes on tour with Gans. Let the tributaries spread further.
**********
WEBSITE
**********
TO THE TOP
**********
''HARPIN' ON THE DEAD''
MAY 31 2013
68:55
**********
1 Ripple 04:43
2 They Love Each Other 05:34
3 Eyes of the World 08:05
4 Box of Rain 05:22
5 Franklin's Tower 08:04
6 Black Muddy River 06:24
7 Lady With a Fan/Terrapin Station 10:31
8 Scarlet Begonias/Fire On the Mountain 15:35
9 Attics of My Life 04:34
**********
Anela Lauren (celtic harp, lead vocals) is a classically trained pianist from age 4. She has played the celtic harp professionally since 2001 on the island of Kaua'i for a wide variety of events and festivals. She is well known for her unique arrangements and highly improvisational style. Anela plays a Thormahlen Swan 36-string floor harp. This is her second CD. Her first, "Mele from the Harp", is an instrumental interpretation of traditional and contemporary Hawaiian songs.
-----
Stephen Inglis (electric guitar) is recognized as one of the most diverse artists in Hawaii today, Stephen is equally at home on the acoustic & electric guitar. The art of Ki Ho’alu; Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar, has been at the heart of his music in recent years. In 2012 Stephen joined Hawaiian music legend Dennis Kamakahi, and was honored for Waimaka Helelei; 2012 Nā Hōkū Hanohano “Slack Key Album of the Year”. Stephen’s composition “Redwood Slack Key” was featured on the Grammy Nominated and Nā Hōkū Hanohano award winning album, “Hawaiian Slack Key Kings Volume 2″ in 2009. His music has also graced Film and Television projects like, NBC affiliate KHON’S: “Hawaii’s Saint Damian: A journey of Sacrifice”. Slackinʻ on Dylan, his last solo project, won the Hawaii Music Award for “Folk Album of the year”.
-----
Tom San Filippo (acoustic guitar, harmony vocals) is an active session and touring musician based out of New York and is the lead guitarist of the Grateful Dead tribute band "HALF STEP". He was exposed to the Dead at a young age and considers them to be a huge musical influence. Harpin' gave Tom the opportunity to put a fresh spin on music that is so close to his heart.
-----
Will Lydgate (bass, harmony vocals, studio manager and recording engineer) is a bass player, music producer and music teacher based on Kaua'i. Will graduated Summa Cum Laude from Berklee College of Music in Boston and plays reggae, jazz, soul, blues, country, funk, pop and R&B with talent and authenticity. Will also manages Kauai's Steelgrass Recording Studio, the island's only state-of-the-art recording facility.
-----
Andrew Vastola (drums, recording engineer, mixing, mastering) was given his first drum set at age 3. Since that time, he has developed into a very versatile player. Having played drums in various original rock bands in Denver including doing multiple US tours, Andrew’s background stems primarily from classic and indie rock. Coming from Colorado’s premiere recording studio, Rocky Mountain Recorders, Andrew has done engineering work with artists such as Rhianna, Chris Brown, Snoop Dogg, Faith Hill, Nathaniel Rateliff, Meese, Young Love and many more.
**********
REVIEW
Dylan Muhlberg, www.gratefulweb.com
Grateful Dead music continues to inspire and muse generations of contemporary musicians. When the band played, their music fostered an experience each night that transformed the ordinary bounds of everyday life beyond possibility. A trip into the transcendental. Even if the words and melodies were familiar to followers, something about their approach of spontaneity and improvisation combined with an overarching reworking of Americana made the music familiar and new simultaneously. Maybe this is why musicians of all colors, creeds and backgrounds feel it necessary to put their own spin on the music that inspired them so. Though many were covering Grateful Dead music years before this, it wasn’t until the Deadicated release in 1991 that artists of high merit collaborated on a full-on Dead Tribute album. Musicians as diverse as Elvis Costello, Los Lobos, and Burning Spear contributed a variety of different spins and styles to their favorite Dead Tunes. Since then, a plethora of covers projects, and various Dead-Incarnation tributes have emerged. Some aim for authenticity to the original Garcia/Weir/Lesh/Hart/Kruetzmann sound while others add their own attributes that accent and enhance certain flavors and textures in the Dead’s soundscape.
Dead fans can be overly opinionated, but it’s because they are often more exposed to a larger musical universe and tend to appreciate jazz, world, and blues music more than the average rock fans. Another recent quality release will likely become a favorite amongst open-minded Deadheads. Harpist Anela Lauren has been a Deadhead for many years and lends her focus of instrumentation toward blending Hawaiian and Celtic music, both cultures that furthered the possibilities of string music beyond the more oridianry Euro-Centric styles. Her second CD release is already being touted and embraced in the Deadhead community. Grateful Dead historian and longtime host of the Grateful Dead Hour David Gans has been playing “Harpin’ on the Dead” on his program for the last couple of months. Gans in addition has such musical empathy toward Lauren that the two are set to tour together this October on the West Coast. Get Ready for some new quality contributions.
Harpin’ on the Dead is a brilliant variation on the music of primarily Hunter/Garcia with a cover of Phil Lesh’s “Box of Rain” included too. Her assured vocals sound like a mother’s lullaby coursing her listeners to reevaluate what they think they might already understand. Her harp textures liven up acoustic versions of classic ballads and laments such as “Ripple”, “Attics of My Life”, and “Black Muddy River.” A particular high moment is an electrified version of “Eyes of the World” with guitar accompaniment from Stephen Inglis. The two bounce back and forth allowing the melody to present itself with the different instrumentation than we are used to. A peppy version of “Franklin’s Tower” is enunciated with a woman’s special touch that Robert Hunter’s fairytale like lyrics are relived by. No doubt that this rendition of “Terrapin Station” reveals Baroque-esque textures with the Harp taking on the usual turns and changes. You have never heard “Lady with a Fan” played this way before.
Do yourself a favor and pick up “Harpin on the Dead” and support Anela when she goes on tour with Gans. Let the tributaries spread further.
**********
WEBSITE
**********
TO THE TOP
**********
