(un)commentary Alec Benjamin

Frankie Gavin and Alec Fin provide a vintage 1977 duet of Irish fiddle and bouzouki (large octave mandolin) that has withstood the test of time. Frankie and Alec are founding members of the group De Danann, a group that only recently retired after over 30 years of great music. Frankie is a legendary fiddle player known for his fast and fluid style. Alec is playing counterpoint and double lead bouzouki in complete synch. This could be called the typical old pub style back when it was rare to find more than two or three musicians playing together. The happiness of the music is overpowering and immediately stimulates toe tapping if not Irish style dancing.

The Eyesores is the best known project of Alec K. Redfearn, a Rhode Island songwriter/composer/musician (who primarily plays accordion). He was made the front man of the band with their third album, Every Man For Himself & God Against All. The band grows and shrinks with the needs of the various projects, but in general also includes Olivia Geiger on violin, Margie Wienk on vocals, cello, and double bass, Ann Schattle on french horn, Erica Schattle on bassoon, Domenick Panzarella on guitar, and Matt Mclaren on drums. Redfearn himself is known for playing his accordion like a guitar (through the use of distortion, drone and noise). The band started as an outlet for Redfearns more singer/songwriter material, but has grown far from these roots, and have since brought their music to film scores, theatrical performances, and dance troupes.

For her debut album, Swiss soprano Stephanie Bühlmann went in search of clues: based on personal encounters with works by her compatriots, she discovered musical treasures off the beaten track of the standard vocal repertoire. This is how the idea of an album of unknown songs by Swiss composers was born, most of which were recorded for the first time for the album 'Zauberluft'. Magic, air, love, nature, soul, peace and home are the themes of the songs, set to music in enchanting, airy, touching, stirring and comforting melodies in the late romantic tradition. The life dates of the five composers Richard Flury, Urs Joseph Flury, Paul Miche, Peter Mieg and Daniel Behle, who set texts in German and French, go from 1896 to the present day. Stephanie Bühlmann studied at the conservatories of Zurich and Lucerne. She deepened her studies in 'Lied singing' in the Liedduo class with Hartmut Höll and in collaboration with Daniel Behle. As a sought-after soloist, she can be heard regularly in opera and concert. Together with her lied partner Benjamin Engeli she presents with 'Zauberluft' a series of fascinating first recordings.