Jonny Teupen - Harpadelic (1969/2014) [Official Digital Download 24/88]

Jonny Teupen was one of the few who could make the harp swing. The late German musician, a classically trained harpist and composer who could play in an orchestra as well as any jazz band, enlisted top musicians from both jazz and rock to back him on this 1969 recording. The Günter Kallmann Choir, at the time internationally renowned, takes care of the nostalgic mood on Teupen’s relaxing “easy listening” compositions. What’s more, the nine-piece vocal group could come up with a swinging scat chorus. Teupen’s love for modern jazz is shown on the piece Harp Revolution; every member improvises over the theme and even dares venture into the realm of free jazz.

Jonny Teupen was one of the strangest and most wonderful artists to record for the MPS label during their glory days – and his big instrument was a jazz harp, which he often electrified to great result! Sure, Dorothy Ashby had been making jazz inroads on the instrument in the US at about the same time – but Teupen had a cool sound that was a bit sitar, a bit guitar, and a bit 'inside the piano' at his wildest moments. This record is maybe his greatest moment ever – and mixes Jonny's harp with vibes from Dave Pike guitar from Volker Kriegel, trumpet from Shake Keane, and drums from Charly Antolini – all solid MPS players who really help ground the sound!

“Swinging harps are the the black swans of the jazz and pop instrumental world. They are as rare as water in the desert.” So state the liner notes for the LP “Harpadelic”. Jonny Teupen (1923 – 1991) was one of the few who could make this 5000 year old instrument swing. Teupen was not one of those romantically “effusive virtuosos who, with their excessive glissandos and tremolos, regurgitate their emotional Pablum.” The Berliner was a classically trained harpist and composer who could play in an orchestra as well as any jazz band.

Top musicians from both jazz and rock back up Teupen on his 1969 recording. Two members of the Kurt Edelhagen Orchestra, trumpeter Shake Kean and trombonist Jiggs Whigham take care of the “big band” riffs; vibraphonist/percussionist Dave Pike, guitarist Volker Kriegel, bassist J. A. Rettenbacher, and drummer Charly Antolini create a pulsing groove.

Tracklist:

01 - Fool on the hill
02 - Blue Tattoo
03 - Come Back and Shake Me
04 - Cornflower Girl
05 - Harp Revolution
06 - Love Me
07 - By the Willow Tree
08 - Theda
09 - Plaisir d'amour
10 - I Saw the Sun Goin' Down

Produced by MPS-Records GmbH, Villingen.
Recorded on July 7-9 in Köln, Rhein, Germany.
Digitally remastered.

Musicians:
Jonny Teupen - harp
Volker Kriegel - guitar
Jiggs Whigham - trombone
Shake Keane - trumpet
Dave Pike - vibraphone, percussion
J. A. Rettenbacher - bass, electric piano
Charly Antolini - drums
+ Günter Kallmann Chor


Thanks to the Original customer!