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Album Reviews
‘Honey and Holy Water’ from angel-voiced Canadian harpist Oona McOuat (May 05, 2010)
A little piece of dreamtime recently dropped
through my door.
It was the album ‘Honey and Holy Water’ from angel-voiced Canadian
harpist Oona
McOuat. This mystical, enchanting album combines all the elements
necessary to craft
a work of presence and beauty. With seven self-penned songs, two
traditional,
one cover and a studio improvisation there are eleven captivating
stories of magic,
peace and perfection.
Oona displays a lightness of touch on the harp
that you can
almost feel the strings respond to her wishes as she asks them to play.
Add to
that her sensitive, gently-delivered vocals and you have a woman of
notable
talent. Joining Oona on this album are Michael Fox (violin) Corbin Keep
(cello,
backing vocals) Richard Lee (woodwinds, backing vocals) Chris Bertin
(didgeridoo, percussion) Daryl Chonka (bass, beats, guitar, didgeridoo,
snare,
piano, udu, and urban soundscape) Desmond Sutherland (vocals) James
Mujuru
(vocals) Zavallennahh Rokeby-Thomas (violin) and Jami Sieber (cello).
 The album opens with ‘Mystery’ as mellow harp
and flute
create a beguiling framework through which Oona weaves her vocals. There
are
shifts and swings across the album but this song encapsulates so much of
its
essence. ‘Africa’ touches your soul with its message as it tantalisingly
mingles
Oona’s voice with that of James Mujuru creating gentle lyrics and
powerful
chants. There’s a pumped up, funky version of Drowsy Maggie complete
with insistent
violin and perfectly placed didge playing that transforms the tune into
what it
should always have been. ‘Green Mountain’ is one of those songs that
take you
away from ‘here’ to ‘somewhere else’ and it’s a trip you’ll cherish.
Oona’s
take on ‘Woodstock’ is a gem and a compelling rival to the original with
its
intricate musicianship and stunning vocals. If the title track ‘Honey
and Holy
Water’ is an improvisation then ‘long live improv’ – didgeridoo, cello
and
exquisite vocals slide and duel sweetly together to create a potent,
intense soundscape.
Presented in a delightfully designed box cover
(unfortunately
without lyrics) this is one album you will listen to repeatedly (and
each time
you do it gets better). It is simply a complete album that celebrates
the
essence of an ancient world all the while offering respect for its
potential and
a genuine concern for its fragile future. Click here to return to the Album Reviews page
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