by Catherine L. Tully

Artist: Mark Davies
Album: "The Celtic Harp"
Year produced: 2004

Starting out with a medley of beautifully played harp music (Greensleeves, Scarborough Fair and Robin Hood), the first track on Mark Davies' CD, The Celtic Harp, sets the mood for the rest of the album. Pretty sounds call out from his fingers and give a dreamy atmosphere to many of the tracks here--very pleasing. Even though the only instrument featured here is harp, the musical arrangements are varied enough to keep one from getting lulled too much by the gentle sounds produced. Davies plays on Celtic harps that he crafted and created himself--an interesting side-note to keep in mind as you listen.

A Sydney Australia native, Davies has been a performer for over twenty years, and it is evident here as you listen to him play. All the selections are expertly crafted with a wistful, yearning sound. This music is relaxing in a way that is thoughtful rather than meditative and even the more upbeat tracks, such as track 3, Iona, are relaxing. There is nothing "muddy" about Davies' playing style--the notes are clean and sure.

Fans of the harp will easily find themselves enjoying this 10-track CD. The Celtic influence is here, but delivered with gentle care by this musician's fingertips. A standout track is The Seventh Ribbon, which has a wistful current running throughout. The last track has some lower tones to it for a lovely finish to a great collection of harp music.

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Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer and photographer who specializes in the arts. She has written for American Style and Classical Singer, among others and reviews music for Marc Gunn's Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. You can reach her through her photography website at www.moonbeamdigital.com.

Labels: cd_review_2007

Posted by Marc Gunn, Saturday, July 21, 2007.
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