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Album Reviews
BIG HARP GEORGE: Living In the City Blues Mountain BMR 04 Review by Norman Darwen
Big Harp George is the stage name of George Bisharat, based in the San Francisco Bay area. As that name suggests, his forte is the chromatic harmonica. On this, his third album, George works mainly in a blues style, but one that encompasses a wide variety of blues, from the jazzy 40s/ early 50s feel of the instrumental ‘Baytown Bounce’ to the brassy, classy Rhythm & Blues and modern musician’s concerns of ‘Build Me An App’. He also dips into Middle Eastern sounds for the album closer. Throughout this release, George keeps things ALBUM REVIEWS tight so that songs remain meaningful, instead of just a string of instrumental solos as can Norman Darwen sometimes happen with the modern blues. There are some of the area’s best blues players reviews two CDs in support, and George’s cool vocals, accomplished songwriting, and distinctive blues harp playing make this a very fine release indeed.
www.bigharpgeorge.com
Shtreiml - Har Meron (download only) Review by Norman Darwen
Based in Montreal, Canada, Shtreiml is a five piece outfit under the leadership of Jason Rosenblatt, playing music of Turkey and the Jewish communities of Eastern Europe. This is their fifth album, and the first for six years. Jason himself plays piano and diatonic harmonica, but, as quickly becomes apparent when the instrument first enters on track 3, ‘Nigun Hachana’, he plays the diatonic harmonica chromatically - honest! His playing is impressive and varied, too. The remaining members of the band supply trombone, sax, flute, bass and drums, and there is also a guest trumpeter. Some tracks sound mournful, others are klezmer-inspired, and others have absorbed “outside” influences along the way - a bit of modern jazz, tango, and maybe even roots rock. Overall, this is by and large a meditative set that draws the listener in before releasing us with a frenzied (and fascinating!) dance.
