January 30, 2017

• Modern Art House Poetry Reading

   Honeyland
  Aidan Andrew Dun, spoken poetry.
  Lucie Rejchrtova, piano.
  Ravello Records 7946
  Total Time:  30:36
  Recording:   ****/****
  Performance: ****/****

   

  Honeyland features the poetry of Aidan Andrew Dun who performs it here accompanied by Lucie Rejchrtova.  The music that underlies these brief texts has its roots in the jazz poetry readings of the 1960s, but here the music and textual delivery belie an almost Hip-Hop feel at times.  This has to do as much with the rhythm of the text as well as the mostly tonal style of the piano that is heightened more by the addition of a “flute” line in “Her Feet As Two White Swans.”  But often nourish qualities, as in the title song here.  The free flowing accompaniments create an immediate and improvisatory effect to Dun’s poetry which has tinges of Joyce and Blake at times.  The style tends toward tonal filigrees  that are juxtapose against the texts often providing a perfect musical counterpoint to the themes of each brief poem.

  Very much a concept album that can be enjoyed both for the engaging texts as much as for the intriguing, and often mesmerizing, accompaniments.  Honeyland is an album for late-night reflection and meditation with touches of jazz harmonies and interesting piano impressions make it a fascinating discovery.

   

   

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