.jpg)
On the surface, Big Harp George is easily described as a San Francisco Bay Area blues singer and songwriter who plays the chromatic harmonica. Just beneath that veneer, you'll find George Bisharat, a former law professor and Mideast analyst whose creative songwriting ranges from biting humor to passionate social commentary, all driven by his mastery of the distinctive chromatic.
There's no shortage of that sharp lyricism and harp wizardry on the 16 original tracks that make up Bisharat's eighth album, the artfully crafted No Shortcuts. He skillfully blends hard-hitting observations with complex musical creativity featuring twenty artists using a variety of ancient and modern instruments.
Bisharat comes out swinging hard on the first of four instrumentals, aptly titled “Come Out Swinging,” urging his chromatic into sax-like runs. “Supplement Life” follows, a whimsical, blues-tinged guide to store-bought health: “Mushroom powder gonna do wonders for you.” “Yes Dear!” is a musical romp offering marital advice with a bite: “Here’s another pearl I swear is true / You hate that nagging but it’s best for you.” “Sun Drifting” is an elegant slow-blues instrumental that speaks through its chromatic soul.
“Ain’t My Circus” juggles sideshow music with political metaphor sparked with a stinging guitar solo: “Carnival barker strutting in his booth / Spouting lies through a megaphone, red, white and blue.” “I Will Find You” shifts the tone with a dirge-like Mideastern intro to its soaring promise: “They came from lands of cross and crown / Where prayers were hushed and books burned down / My kin pled for mercy across the sea / And I swore to send a hand to free.” “Bury My Head” hides the frustration of frantic daily life behind its jaunty melody: “Can you back off for God’s sake / I need to take a break / I’m gonna bury my head in the sand.”
“Struck Out Again” is frustration on a more personal level behind Kid Andersen's late-night blues guitar and a mournful harp solo: “Well I drain me one last double / Slide off my barstool to face the rain
Knowing that I struck out again.” “Be Adorable” sparkles with Dixieland jazz and advice on love featuring Mike Olmos on trumpet and Lisa Leuschner Andersen's sweet background vocals: “If you want to be adored be adorable / Just ain’t no shortcuts to love.” “Do You Remember?” is a gorgeous, wistful duet with Andersen: “Living today means having to pay / With everything you once held dear.”
“Last Trip to Itaipu” is a lovely Latin-flavored instrumental dedicated to Bisharat's late friend Roberto Kant de Lima, who “introduced me to Brazil and its incredibly inspiring music traditions.” Then an upbeat, jazzy tune answers the philosophic question, “What’s Wrong with Dying?” “Don’t have to be stupid, don’t throw life away / But what’s the use of staying if you can’t play?” “Mista Boins!” is a bouncy instrumental featuring the chromatic dueling with roiling organ by Chris Burns.
Bisharat wraps up this impressive album with three songs that serve as its emotional heart – their elegant lyricism defining vital human issues. And it's all done with engaging musicality. “Rusty Spoon,” dedicated to political prisoners worldwide, especially Palestinians, is gripping epic poetry set to music that evokes country gospel, featuring rousing violin by his cousin, LA-based Grammy winner Charlie Bisharat: “You can chain the body, cage the mind / Breath of freedom the soul will find / Every wall’s just misery spoken / Ain’t no lock can’t be broken.” “Death Rattle of the Republic” is an anthemic, bluesy shuffle, a contemporary counterpoint to its inspiration, the Battle Hymn of the Republic, serving up its own political metaphor: “Ain’t no glory here, no truth marching on / Just a death rattle dressed up as a song.” The finale, “One Day,” pits its gorgeous, gentle melody against its not-so-gentle observations: “Pray to your gods while bombing babies / Never once touched by a sense of shame / One day, you will be judged.”
George Bisharat has a lot to say on his powerful No Shortcuts, and he says it eloquently, with considerable Big Harp style and courage. His majestic chromatic adds its own rich flavors; his provocative lyrical content stimulates the imagination. Come for the music, stay for its message!
Jim White (a former music writer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette & now writes the Blues Roadhouse)
FOCUS TRACKS
1. Come Out Swinging, 3. Yes Dear!, 10. Do You Remember?, 15. Death Rattle Of The Republic
WEBLINKS
More information: Betsie Brown, Blind Raccoon, betsie@blindraccoon.com,
 |
[Back to TOP] |
Geen opmerkingen:
Een reactie posten