Ellen Gibling

The Bend In The Light

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to The Bend In The Light

A Canadian artist with a penchant for the harp, Ellen Gibling makes some very enchanting folk music here, where both traditionals and originals are present and appreciated.

“Hop Jigs: Cucanandy/Coleman’s/The Boys Of Ballisodare” opens the listen with Gibling’s proficient harp front and center in the dreamy, melodic and warm introduction, and “Polkas: The Glin Cottage n1/The Glin Cottage n2/Enjoy Your Stay” follows with fascinating string manipulation across a very meticulous landscape.

Further into the listen, “Reels: The Cribbies/Vice Versa/Louise’s Reel” flows with much beauty that resonates with a heartfelt, emotive quality, while “Hornpipes: Maggie Finnegan’s/One Across/The Garden of Daises” emits an energy you could dance to.

Near to the end, “Wendel’s Wedding/An Seanduine Doite” is a more bare selection that’s quite graceful, and “Giddy’s Hornpipe” exits the listen highlighting the incredible harp skill that Gibling possesses and delivers with incredible sophistication.

A listen that’s full of harmony and switches from waltzes to polka to jigs, you might think a solo harp record would out welcome its stay, but in these very capable hands there’s just not a dull moment to be found.

Travels well with: Elisabeth Remy Johnson- Quest; Dave Walther- Distance