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Artist: Stephanie Bennett Reviews:
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Stephanie Bennett is a talented and gifted harpist. Her playing is extremely evocative and heartfelt and encompasses many moods, from light-hearted to romantic to reflective. On Imaginocean, she focuses her composing and playing skills on this album of solo harp improvisations which enchanted me right away. I could probably play this album once every day, whenever my spirits needed a lift. There's something innately comforting in the sound of unadorned harp, or at least there is for me. What does surprise me, though, is just how unique harps can sound from each other. This sounds nothing like the late Hillary Stagg and (obviously) nothing at all like Andreas Vollenweider. It also bears little resemblance to the Celtic harp of Kim Robertson. Stephanie's music isn't really neo-classical, but it's not just folk harp either. However you categorize the exact nature of her harp's "sound," to me it sounds great! Every song on Imaginocean is solid, so there's little use in picking out favorites, although the gentle opener, "The Water Planet" is especially wonderful, as is the lush title cut (which uses arpeggios to suggest the watery depths of the ocean) and the reflective "Goodbye Too Soon." To relegate this album to duty only as a relaxation or massage therapy recording (although it would be ideal for both practices) is to sell the CD short. While I doubt hard core electronic ambient fans will pay attention to me, this is ambient music after a fashion, since it plays superbly in the background. But, you can also immerse yourself in the gentle strains of plucked and strummed harp strings and float away on the sweet currents of melody. Either way, Stephanie Bennett will refresh your soul with this wonderful release. The same Stephanie Bennett, recording as Bardina (as in the word "bard"), has also recorded a fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable album for children (and adults with an ear for whimsy). The songs on Bardina's Forest include some written by her and others where she merely wrote the melody and used words by Hans Christian Andersen, Thoreau, and author Peter S. Beagle. Sometimes she sings, sometimes she tells stories, and all the lyrics (either spoken or sung) teach wonderful lessons for children about animals, the world we live in, and the qualities that make us good people. Her story-telling voice, in particular, is excellent. She had me listening intently on the "Ballad of Gorilla and Bear" (which is also a nice uptempo song, featuring her great harp as well as snappy percussion and some nice violin work). The album comes in a well-designed digipack and includes the lyrics for the songs (but, unfortunately, not the stories). I know that some of us new age/ambient/world music fans have kids (I hope some of us do!). When those little ones want to listen to music, you can either put on something that you like or try this one on for size. I'd wager that your little girl or boy will enjoy hearing something as cute (and educational) as "Crazy Mixed-up Platypus" (easily the best thing on the album - it's a hoot and a half!). And they could learn a lot from a song like "I Can Imagine." Or they can just dance around (like kids do - and they all do, admit it!) to lilting numbers like "The Harper" or "Flutter By, Butterfly." The album also contains an ambitious seventeen-plus minute version of Hans Christian Andersen's The Snow Queen which showcases Stephanie's expressive narrative story-telling abilities - she really does have a knack for this. It's easy to see why her alter ego is that of a bard (a traveling musician and storyteller in medieval times). I admire and respect Stephanie for bringing her considerable talents as a harpist to bear on this project. The world needs more recordings like this one, filled with music as gentle as a soft breeze yet also brimming with laughter, wisdom, and a touch of magic. If you have young children and want to give them something to enjoy besides the usual, sit them down on the couch and play this CD for them. I'd wager they're gonna be hitting the "play" button a lot after that! Recommended. |