July 31, 1997

The Act of Being Free In One Act

Solo Harmonica Recordings, 1994

RECORDING NOTES and Samples

Painting The Act of Being Free in One Act by Dean Hunter-Cutrona

These notes describe the instruments and approaches used on the performances included in Richard Hunter's solo harmonica CD, The Act of Being Free in One Act. Read on if you want to know what instruments created the effects you hear on the CD. You'll find a number of downloadable sample files below also in WAV format (mono, 8 bit, 22 kHz). Most of these files are around 350 kb, so they shouldn't take very long to download. We've just added files in RealAudio ISDN Mono format as well. The sound quality is almost as good as the WAV files, and the file size is a lot smaller (so it downloads much more quickly). You'll need the RealAudio player to use RealAudio files; you can get a free copy direct from RealAudio by clicking here.

By the way, Richard Hunter uses Lee Oskar diatonic harmonicas exclusively.

Tunings used on this CD include standard (blues), natural minor, and melody maker. Chromatic harmonica was used on one track. All tracks were recorded in real time without overdubs.

The CD was recorded, edited, and mixed at Charles Eller Studios in Hinesburg, VT, with Mark Greenberg of Upstreet Productions and Richard Hunter producing, Charles Eller engineering. The entire process of recording, mixing, and editing the 14 pieces included on the CD occupied about 20 hours of studio time. (You can work fast when you've only got one musician and one instrument).

Here's the story on the music, track-by-track:

Peppermint Life (© 1978 R. Hunter) For Susan Mary, the poet, who named it

This piece is an uptempo chord study with a fiddle-tunish break section. 2nd position, standard diatonic.

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Bright Lights, Big City/Let It Roll/Blue Monk (Reed/Monk)

A medley of two Jimmy Reed and one Thelonius Monk blues, played slow with a heavy roll. It's surprising how well the three melodies merge into one. 2nd position, standard diatonics (low F and G).

The Longing (© 1994 R. Hunter) For Patty

A bluesy ballad, with a melody reminscent of some of John Mayall's early work. 2nd position, Natural Minor diatonic (D?).

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Never Go Back (R. Bissex)

An instrumental version of a song by Rachel Bissex, a folksinger based in Burlington, VT. 2nd position, Natural Minor diatonic.

You can never go back to your childhood
You can never go back to your childhood
You can never go back to your childhood
But I can be a child with you

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In A Sentimental Mood (Duke Ellington)

A straightforward ballad treatment. This is the only piece in the set played on chromatic harmonica.

Big 17 (© 1994 R. Hunter) For Dean

A 17-bar blues with big +6 chords, hence the title. 2nd position, D Melody Maker diatonic.

Winter Sun At Nobska (© 1977 R. Hunter) For Bela Bartok

An impressionistic piece, with a feel reminiscent of Bartok's For Children. 3rd position, standard diatonic (one of the high ones; E? F? F#?).

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When Johnny Comes Marching Home (arr. R. Hunter)

My treatment of the traditional Civil War theme. Note the pedal tones in the last verse. 1st position, Natural Minor diatonic (C? Db? D?).

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Hymn For Crow (© 1994 R. Hunter) In Memoriam, David Levine

This is probably the most advanced piece in the set in terms of concept. Two independent lines, separated by as much as a 13th; contrary motion, pedal tones, lots of big, open chords. 2nd position, standard A diatonic.

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Comin Home Baby (Ben Tucker) For Little Walter

A straightforward minor blues. 2nd position, Natural Minor diatonic (D?).

Old Man River For Evan Hunter

A ballad treatment with lots of guts, courtesy of the Melody Maker D diatonic (2nd position).

Too Late (Little Walter, arr. R. Hunter) With Thanks to Peter Ruth

A somewhat modified version of Little Walter's classic. 2nd position, standard diatonic (D? Db?).

Rock Heart (© 1994 R. Hunter)

An AABCA form, where A and B are semi-classical and C is funked out. 1st and 2nd position on a Natural Minor diatonic (C?).

Golden Mel (© 1977 R. Hunter) For Ludwig van Beethoven

A double theme and variations with some virtuosic turns. 1st and 2nd position on a standard diatonic (Eb?).

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