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| My guess is that a lot of people don't think of a Jew's harp as an
instrument in the true sense of the word -- they've heard it make
noise, but they haven't really heard it played. Bakx, aided by
other Jew's-harpists and a multicultural supporting ensemble,
knows how to play his instrument better than most, eliciting sounds that
range from simple bouncy noodling to the intricate melodies of a veritable
mouth-theremin. A Song... presents the Jew's harp in a variety of
sonic settings -- on its own, and ably teamed with several (predominantly) wind and bellows instruments. "I'll Tell Me Ma" is an
early high point, teaming Jew's harp with accordian and harmonica in a
ringing, pastoral Irish folk song. The improvised "Great Fun in G"
demonstrates the unique dynamic that exists between harmonica and Jew's
harp, while "The Oz Jig" pairs the instrument with guitar. "Horndance of Abbot's
Bromley" puts the Jew's harp in the more formal setting of an English country
dance, albeit one that rapidly collapses into the (relative) abandon of
"Tarantella
Napoletana" as you've never heard it before. And don't miss the world music
sound of "Jew's Harp Mosaics 2 & 5", wholly different from the rest of the
disc's contents. And that's merely the tip of the
iceberg. After listening to A Song..., you'll have a renewed
appreciation
for the sound and potential of this tiny instrument, and growing respect for
those who've mastered it.
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