David Darling
FEATURES FOR THE WEEK
Monday October 23, 2000
PATRICK LEONARD-STILL WATERS RUNNING DEEP
Pianist Patrick Leonard has written hits for Madonna, including
"Like A Prayer" and "Frozen" and produced
albums for her and Jewel. But on his own, he creates an Americana
chamber music heard on his debut album, RIVERS (Unitone).
RIVERS is a musical diary of a fly-fishing expedition in Wyoming
and Montana. We talk with Patrick Leonard about his pianistic
portraits and his intersection with high pop.
Wednesday October 25, 2000
A LIVING ROOM CONCERT WITH STEVE STEVENS
In his Hollywood home, rock guitarist Steve Stevens pulls out
his acoustic guitar, and, joined by a flamenco guitarist, percussionist
and bassist, wails on music from his captivating album, FLAMENCO-A-GO-GO
(Ark 21). The co-composer of most of Billy Idol’s hits,
Stevens shows a different side to his guitar playing, performing
this music for the first time ever live, exclusively on Echoes.
Thursday October 26, 2000
JIA PENG FANG,WHO ERHU?
The erhu is a two-stringed Chinese instrument played with a bow,
but unlike the violin, erhu players move between the notes in
haunting, voice like bends. Jia Peng Fang is a master of
this instrument and he’s bringing it into a modern instrumental
world on his albums, RIVER and RAINBOW (Pacific Moon). We
talk to Jia Peng Fang about bringing this instrument into a trans-global
setting.
Friday October 27, 2000
JEFF PEARCE RIDES THE LOOP
Jeff Pearce has been entrancing listeners with his textural,
ambient guitar orchestrations since his debut album, TENDERNESS
& FATALITY (Windchime). His collaborations include work
with Jon Jenkins, Kevin Keller and Vidna Obmana. Although
he often sounds like multiple guitar players and a synthesizer,
Jeff makes all of his music on one electric guitar, played in
real time with no overdubs. Through a sophisticated system
of looping and sound processing, however, he transforms himself
into an ambient orchestra. Jeff Pearce comes to the Echoes
studio to reveal the sonic architecture behind his music and latest
album, TO THE SHORES OF HEAVEN (Hypnos).
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*denotes compilation
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Copyright 2000 Pennsylvania Public Radio Associates, Inc.
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