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JANUARY 2008:
Review -- JULIA -- Peaceful Night
Reviewed by Calvin Daniels- Yorkton This Week Newspaper
PEACEFUL NIGHT
Julia
Independent
9-out-of-10
Oh wow! Talk about something that is refreshingly different in terms of what I usually have the opportunity to review. Julia (Cunningham) offers up something that is sultry, sexy, amazing and smooth – jazz music with the focus on her favoured instrument the harp.
Cunningham is from Los Angeles now, but actually has roots here in Saskatchewan which says something abut the fertile ground of Prairie soil in terms of musical inspirations. Those roots are seen clearly with the cut Saskatchewan Sunset which would easily inspire any jazz composer.
As you might expect this is an instrumental effort, thankfully so, because you would not want vocals taking away from the music here. By the way it's one of the best cuts here too.
What Julia has laid down here is music that is relaxing, as smooth jazz often is, made more so by the lyrical sound of the harp.
It helps that Cunningham is obviously a skilled musician too. Check out her website at www.soulharp.com, which is where I found her “special performances have included concerts with Luciano Pavarotti (Pavarotti and Friends) in Modena, Italy, concert tours throughout Europe, North America, Australia & The Middle East, appearances with The Stars of the Musicals in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and televised Christmas concerts at the Vatican in Rome.” That's pretty impressive on any resume, and illustrates just how good this gal is.
There are 11 cuts on this CD, only one under three minutes in length, and most going to four minutes and beyond, which is a definite plus for the listener. The more of this girl moving her fingers skillfully over the harp strings the better. This is definitely a CD which is worth seeking out. Wonderful music throughout.
-- CALVIN DANIELS, Yorkton This Week
-- Review first appeared in Yorkton This Week newspaper Jan.23, 2008 - Yorkton, SK. Canada
JUNE 2007:
Peaceful Night
By Julia Cunningham
Reviewed by RJ Lannan - New Age Reporter
Sparkling Musical Delight
Some fear the night. Some embrace it. The melodious music of Los Angeles harpist Julia (Julia Cunningham) reaches out in the night like an anxious lover ready for the satisfaction of an evening of quiet (but not solitude) that turns into excitement and passion. In addition, there is comfort, kindness and enchantment. Along with several talented musicians, Julia plays her harp on tunes that cross over from contemporary to ambient to World genres.
Julia gives us the tune Heaven. It is like walking amidst a land of rainbow crystals with the sun shining through every prism. There is a colorful interplay of light and shadow. There some dreamy synthesizer beds on this one that add lightness to the tune.
Celebration is the New Age equivalent of a block party. The background holds a happy crowd effect as the guitar, marimba, and harp twirl about in elation. It is the energetic sound of people having fun just because.
The title song Peaceful Nights has a jazzy tempo and a carefree style. Whispered words in the tune offer an allusion of the passion that roams the night. Night sounds remind of the peace that is to be had during the shadowy hours between twilight and dawn.
My favorite track is called Reflections. It contemplative and dreamy. It a seat beside a quiet stream of water that mesmerizes your spirit. The flute is a welcome witness as you watch the dragonflies dart about, hear the reeds rustle in the wind and the feel your heartbeat that is louder than the sound of the universe.
Night Market on the Adriatic (Bonus Track) once again brings about Julia's party theme, this time with Old World European flavor. A warm, moonlit night in the island of Korèula perhaps, with the heady aroma coming from the vineyards on one side and the sea on the other. Performers line the streets as the smells of cooking cheese, chicken and veal waft through the evening and maybe a bite of gibanica for desert. Nevertheless, it is the people that make the up the stars in this evening sky. Smiles and warmth are the order of the night.
Julia has multiple degrees in music including a Masters from Yale. She has performed worldwide in jazz and blues festivals, and appeared with numerous symphony orchestras from Vancouver to Moscow. Julia's music is light. It floats into your senses and lets you travel along while it explores the night and all it has to offer from a positive journey
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Julia was featured in the May/June 2003 issue of THE HARP COLUMN magazine in an article by Kimberly Rowe entitled "Riding the Wave." In the same issue, Julia is also featured in a full page advertisement for the new Lyon & Healy "Silhouette" electric lever harp.
Julia was also featured on the cover of the International FOLK HARP JOURNAL Issue No. 121, Fall 2003 performing in Chicago on the Lyon & Healy "Silhouette" electric lever harp
Visit www.lyonhealy.com for details. |
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