It’s been a joy and privilege to get to know and be friends with April and Nuc, two of the members of Harp 46 (official website here), over the past few years. Sarah and I were treated to some amazing hospitality as we stayed with April and Nuc one night this past summer.
When we left, they gave us a copy of their newest album, Passage, and it was a joy to be able to have that for the drive the next day, and since then.
I first heard Harp 46 when I bought a CD after getting in touch with April a couple years ago. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from a harp, a bass and percussions. I received the CD and I loved it – some great ballads and tunes. I listened to this with my friend Josh as we drove out on a long, long dirt-road out to the Christ in the Desert Monastery in New Mexico. The strong melodies, relaxing rhythms and soothing tunes helped my perspective as I was about to spend a few days out in the desert.
Harp 46’s sophomore released, Passage (link is to iTunes Music Store), is an amazing album. One of the things I appreciate most of it is their arrangement of certain hymns, including Jesus, Lover of My Soul, Mighty Fortress and Praise to the Lord (my favorite track on the album). Over the past years, I’ve definitely come to appreciate the use of organ in worship, and the might and power that it exudes, and the energy that it creates in a congregation of people who can sing (and even those who can’t). But Harp 46’s interpretations of these hymns creates a different kind of energy.
For me, any of these hymns can easily turn into one of those tracks that I play on repeat for quite awhile – there is an intense energy and definitely (as cliche as it sounds) new life and a certain ‘lightness’ (even a sacred playfulness) that one hears in these hymns.
I’ve heard Harp 46 perform a few times and each time their sound has just filled the room or church they’ve played in. They are an exciting band to watch perform, and their CDs are a joy whether you need music to study to, relax to or if you just want some great music that incorporates beautiful harp-playing, some creative percussion work, and just some amazing bass riffs that add so much.
You can pick up their cds from Amazon, CD Baby (which is a really fun place to order from, I’d recommend going there) or now through iTunes. Check out their website, or click here to go to the iTunes Music Store and hear samples from their newest album, Passage.