The stunning harpist Ashley Jackson has released her debut album 'Take Me To The Water', and it's a wonderful collection of tracks where she adds her personal touch to works by Margaret Bonds, Alice Coltrane, Claude Debussy, and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.
Jackson said: “Water is celebrated in lots of different cultures, but, despite that, you find recurring themes in those celebrations. So I wanted to hone in on those ideas—ideals—such as love and rebirth and hope.”
The work of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor has had something of a rediscovery in the 21st century, and Jackson says: “In playing Deep River, I’m transported to a place where I can access that kind of cultural memory. Just imagining my ancestors singing that, and what the words would have meant. So as to tell their oppressors that they're singing about one thing, but really, they're communicating something else. Tapping into that ingenuity is so humbling.”
For listeners unfamiliar with the beauty of the harp, Take Me to the Water is possibly the perfect introduction, with elements of traditional and modern music weaving in some of these familiar tunes, interpreted so creatively by Jackson.
Coltrane's Radhye-Shyam starts the album as it means to go on, with music that seems to take the listener on a journey. Almost symphonic, but less than six minutes long, this would make a great introduction to the work of Alice Coltrane for those who have already discovered John's work. Deep spirituality and human connection abound.
Every track on this album is linked to the theme of water and its power. There is a fusion between classical music and cultural heritage, as well as links to the tragedy that there are still people around the world living without access to safe, clean water.
Jackson said: “Water is celebrated in lots of different cultures, but, despite that, you find recurring themes in those celebrations. So I wanted to hone in on those ideas—ideals—such as love and rebirth and hope.”
The work of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor has had something of a rediscovery in the 21st century, and Jackson says: “In playing Deep River, I’m transported to a place where I can access that kind of cultural memory. Just imagining my ancestors singing that, and what the words would have meant. So as to tell their oppressors that they're singing about one thing, but really, they're communicating something else. Tapping into that ingenuity is so humbling.”
For listeners unfamiliar with the beauty of the harp, Take Me to the Water is possibly the perfect introduction, with elements of traditional and modern music weaving in some of these familiar tunes, interpreted so creatively by Jackson.
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