Gilchrist, Maeve
20 Chandler Street
Thanks to a few centuries of stereotyping, most people think the harp is an ethereal instrument best strummed by winged angels atop fluffy clouds. But, in the hands of Maeve Gilchrist, the harp is anything but delicate background music. With 20 Chandler Street, she proves just what a driving force the harp can be in its own right and within a band. Produced by guitarist Roger Tallroth (of Swedish acoustic trio, Vsen), Gilchrist cut nearly the entire album live with a core band that included Tallroth, fiddler Duncan Wickel, and bass player Aidan ODonnell along with fiddle virtuoso Darol Anger who guests on several tunes. This album draws listeners into vibrant new landscapes and soundscapes, using melody, harmony, and texture to create their own narratives as vividly as any storyteller.