'Round
The Corner - Deborah
Henson-Conant
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| Deborah Henson-Conant profile page with index of recordings and compositions |
- ‘Round the Corner - D. Henson-Conant - 5:15
- Georgia on My Mind - H. Carmichael - 6:20
- Blue Bossa - K. Dorham - 4:21
- Swingin’ Shepherd Blues - M. Koffman - 4:22
- Take Five - P Desmond - 6:25
- Over the Rainbow - H. Arlen - 8:45
- Summertime - G. Gershwin - 5:22
'Round the Corner
dedicated to Jack Nebergall and Al Simon
Deborah Henson-Conant - harp
John Lockwood - bass
Bob Gullotti - drums, log drums
When Deborah Henson-Conant dragged her 6-foot concert grand harp into a Boston jazz club in 1983, she surprised audiences and critics alike with her “hot and innovative” (UPI) performance. Now, she’s considered the world’s premier harpist and has created the foundation of a new art form. ‘Round the Corner takes you back to Henson-Conant’s roots in straight-ahead jazz, back to a time when the word “harp” was rarely followed by the words “cool” and “swinging,” and almost never heard in a discussion of jazz.
‘Round the Corner is also the culmination of one journey and the beginning of another: in ‘88, just after the release of ‘Round the Corner, Deborah was signed to the GRP jazz label, and released three CDs of original contemporary jazz. In ‘91, Henson-Conant founded her own record company, Golden Cage Music, and has released almost a dozen recordings to date. By the mid ‘90’s, ‘Round the Corner had become a cult classic, receiving high praise from fans and press alike, including a personal letter from Dave Brubeck. In the syndicated UP) review of the album, Ken Franckling wrote, “if you’ve never heard the harp swing, you’ve got a treat in store. In the musical hands of Deborah Henson-Conant, the instrument becomes a true jazz vehicle, capable of wonderful improvisations and musical coloring ... bassist John Lockwood and drummer Bob Gullotti are a vital part of this trio session, giving the harpist a swinging, sometimes subtle rhythmic support ... The dominant track is ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow.’ This splendid arrangement of the Harold Arlen classic, stretching nearly nine minutes, begins as a wonderful Wizard of Oz medley, before waltzing its way into the wistful chestnut.”
Boston Globe reviewer Ernie Santosuosso agreed: “Deborah Henson-Conant ... has converted a seemingly unwieldy instrument into a genuine jazz voice ... Henson-Conant opens with her composition ‘Round the Corner,’ an ideal tableau for the harp’s swing capabilities in her gifted hands. ‘Georgia On My Mind’ is performed with a seductive lassitude and subtle rhythmic shadings. ‘Blue Bossa’ sways so gently while ‘Swingin’ Shepherd Blues,’ originally popularized by a flute solo, is treated to Henson-Conant’s chiming chords and broad solo forays. Henson-Conant skillfully meets the 5/4 challenge of Paul Desmond’s ‘Take Five.’ Accompanied by Lockwood’s droning phrases and Gullotti’s log drum accents, Henson-Conant smartly salutes George Gershwin with a zesty, refurbished approach to ‘Summertime.”’
Enjoy this step back to Deborah Henson-Conant’s roots in classic jazz.
Executive producer: Susanne Marcus
Produced by Bob Kroeger & Deborah Henson-Conant
Recorded and mixed 1987 by Caleman Rogers at Le Studio in Boston, USA
Pre-mastering: Andreas Torkier, Sonopress
Front and back cover photos: Torsten Dodillet inside photo: Andrea Engels
Design: Alison Tolman-Ragers
Liner notes: Stephanie Zand, Ken Franckling,
Ernie Santosuosso, Harry Lamas III
All arrangements by Deborah Henson-Conant
® and © 1987 Deborah Henson-Conant · Golden Cage Music,
Inc.
| Title: | 'Round the Corner |
| Artist: | Deborah Henson-Conant |
| Instruments: | Harp, bass, percussion |
| Genre: | Jazz |
| Format: | Audio CD |
| Our Ref: | A0326 |
| MCPS: | GC-87-002-CD |
| Label: | Golden Cage Music |
| Year: | 1987 |
| Origin: | USA |