I can't remember exactly when I first stumbled across Amanda Whiting, whether it was her After Dark LP on First Word or her Lost In Abstraction LP for Jazzman Records a year later in 2022? Either way I'd highly recommend checking out both if you have any interest in spiritual jazz or the somewhat resurgent sounds of her instrument of choice, the harp.
Hailing form Wales Whiting has seamlessly made the transition from classicist to jazzicist, following in the footsteps of the twentieth century greats like Dorothy Ashby and Alice Coltrane, and although many of her works are reminiscent of that spiritual jazz heyday, she's also embraced the twenty first century straying into more progressive territory with some great remixes and genre fusing collaborations. She's certainly doing her bit for the jazz continuum's progression not just twentieth century duplication, which often doesn't end well when you're constantly being compared to the best that ever did it.
So what of this new single? Well ignore what I just said about her progressive tendencies, this is gloriously classic harp music - pure and simple. It's a cover of a Bill Evan's tune from 1958, which she has wisely, considering the twenty first century's attention deficit issues, condensed into a pithy three rather than seven minutes. The new version also dispenses with the original's somewhat edgier improvisational flourishes, focussing on the underlying air of calm, and whilst also relaxing, there is a slightly more cheerful vibe.
The track is from a forthcoming album called A Christmas Cwtch which is her seasonally attuned take on assorted classics from the likes of Vince Guaraldi, Bill Evans, Holst and Tchaikovsky. Cwtch according to Whiting "is the most important word to Welsh folk. It’s a hug, with a little squeeze. It’s a feeling. It’s cosy, loving and safe. I wanted this album to hold you, cwtch you and allow you to indulge." Whilst I'm a bit of a grinch, you can't argue with the sentiment,
I never imagined I'd be recommending Christmas music in the blog, but if "Peace Piece" is anything to go by then I'm sure the other covers will be equally tasteful. If you're going to play Christmas music during the season of shopping then at least make sure it's the right harp led, jazzy kind.
Playlist Companion.
You can find this track shining it's light in the usually gloomier Slow Neoclassical Playlist.
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