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GROUND VINYL RECORDS BEN BROWN
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Ben Brown - cross-strung chromatic harp & vocals
For more than 15 years, Ben Brown has been one of the foremost proponants of the cross-strung chromatic harp. He has travelled the country and the world performing and studying the art of folk-harp construction and use. He toured extensively from 1985 through 1998, and has since focused his time on private study and recording in his hometown of Kalamazoo, Michigan.
While most people are familiar with the orchestral pedal harp, the smaller folk-harp, and the autoharp, the cross strung chromatic harp which Ben uses is somewhat of an anomaly in the contemporary harp scene. It was relatively well-known around the turn of the century, but has largely died out in the shadow of the pedal harp. While the pedal harp is the standard for orchestral and classical music, the cross-strung harp is uniquely suited to folk and improvisational music. Its chromatic tuning allows the harpist a broad palette for experimentation in key and rhythm, making it ideal for jazz, folk and world music.
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| One of two vocals on the sampler. What is it like to be a Black male at the turn of the century? There is a desire to communicate longing and hope for a better world similar to Negro Spirituals. There is also the challenge to bridge traditional Christmas music with African American expression and non traditional harp... |
MP3.com CD: A Christmas Sampler -  buy it!
CD: A Christmas Sampler
Label: Ground Vinyl Records
Credits: traditional; Ben Brown, arr. |
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| Summing up my experience of life, living simply can allow you to see so much more and live far more elegantly than racing to achieve but losing connection to life. I strive to learn this lesson of paradox everyday. The only other vocal on this recording and just as moving for me. |
MP3.com CD: A Christmas Sampler - buy it!
CD: A Christmas Sampler
Label: Ground Vinyl Records
Credits: traditional; Ben Brown, arr. |
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| Fun and light. I remember hearing this 10,000 times on my first job during high school, at a clothing store. After a while it became like the color of the walls, a part of the environment at Christmas. That was until I started to learn how to play it on the harp. Incredible how you can trip over your fingers when first learning a musical phrase. It's a bit like a tounge twister for the fingers only much more fun to play. |
MP3.com CD: A Christmas Sampler - buy it!
CD: A Christmas Sampler
Label: Ground Vinyl Records
Credits: traditional; Ben Brown, arr. |
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