Duets

September 2012 The Harp Column Reviewed by Alison Young 'Texas musicians, electric harpist Cindy Horstman and bass-guitarist Michael Medina, came up with a playlist of some of their favorite arrangements, and the effect is mystical, electrifying, and utterly calming. The sound is unusual, especially when the bass takes the lead as in Ivan Lins' Septembro. The plucked sounds of the instruments decay at different rates, with the bass adding a sultry vibrato and a bit of finger noise when sliding between chords, which I have always found sensual. The harp brings a depth and substance to the sound, luscious and glowing. It's particularly shining in Horstman's original composition Remembering where the two instruments share the first notes of the bass line. While it would seem on the surface the two instruments are too close in timbre, it's their oh-so-close-but-just-dif- ferent-enough quality that plays tricks on the ear and makes the combination so hypnotic. Other favorites are the Jeremy Lubbock ballad Not Like This. In this case, Horstman's harp provides just enough rhythm to sound like the she's taken on the role of guitar. Though from my generation and what got the most repeat listens from me was the Earth, Wind and Fire single That's the Way of the World. Just one word: smooth. ' 2tone's 10th CD, 'Duets', features jazz oriented arrangements of classics such as O Danny Boy, Scarborough Fair, and America, the Beautiful by harpist Cindy Horstman and bassist Michael Medina. 'Duets' has already received high praise prior to it's release from Jeremy Lubbock ( international Grammy winning songwriter, producer,arranger ) whose hit, Not Like This, appears on the CD. Upon hearing 2tone's version, Jeremy writes,'Words cannot describe how beautiful yours and Michael's version of my song is.'