Song Lines

We can discuss endlessly, but we don't necessarily know very clearly where Gabi Hartmann's voice transports us: a jazz bar in the basement, a tropical beach at dusk, a terrace on a slope in Lisbon, the bottom of a Parisian brasserie on a winter night?

Generally we are passionate about music because it is the soundtrack of our life, those songs that make us remember our first love, episodes of life, whether happy or sad, in the case of a musician it is a real outlet. The intentions can be multiple, the fact remains that the style with which to set one's intentions to music is approached not only through personal taste, created based on past listening experience, but also through personality. The latter is the key to the evolution of music in a general sense, that is, it brings a change to what we grew up with.

On EARL KIM & ISANG YUN, violinist Chi Young Song presents complete works for solo violin by the titular composers, each of whom are of Korean heritage. Blurring the lines between Western musical heritage and traditional Korean music, each piece exhibits the crosscultural and borderless qualities of music. On 12 Caprices for Solo Violin, Chi Young tackles technical, intimate passages rooted in Western standards.

For The Price Sisters, and their new LP, Between the Lines, the familiar adage rings as truly as ever: the third time is, indeed, a charm - Rich in the bluegrass tradition, yet equally versed in country balladry, folk Americana, string bands, Gospel, and even indie blues-rock, the 15-song dazzler reflects a wealth of fresh ideas and precocious wisdom coursing through twin siblings, Leanna Price and Lauren Price Napier. With its arresting melodies intertwined in lush and dexterous harmonies, and supported by the finest of contemporary talent- not to mention some masterful special guests- this brilliant third effort from the duo not only revives and reflects the roots of the art form, but expands, with conscious reverence, upward and outward, budding with ambitious intent.

This album should have been titled The Phoenix! It has died and been reborn many times for various reasons. It proved to me that the music made me go on. It’s relentless pushing to be in the world, to be born, made me continue on when I had nothing left. Each of these songs came out of my soul. Out of an experience I had in my life. Each song is like a short story of my experiences. I have certainly been broken by life many times. I feel that from those broken places the light of creativity emanates. Each experience changed me. Each song healed me in some way. Many times I had so many feelings, I was overwhelmed and the songs emerged on their own. They floated to the surface so I was able to express them in words and music. Sometimes the words came first, and sometimes the music came first. And in the end the words and music flowed together to create a tapestry of feelings. I hope these songs will float over you and fill your heart and soul with the magic of music. – Veronica Rose