Review and More

Our Review

I haven't heard much glass harmonica before, and none lately, so Donal Hinely's Midwinter Carols: Fourteen Selections on Glasss Harmonica is a wonderfully novel and elegant indulgence for an early weekend morning for me. Glass harmonica is a set of glasses, partially filled with water and played by hand. So, in that way it seems to me more like a xylophone than a harmonica, but it has been explained to me that the name derives from "glass armonica", the name of a precursor to the current instrument. None of which explains very much to me, since I haven't seen either a glass harmonica or any of its antecedents. But I am quite delighted to hear one. In Donal Hinely's hands, glass harmonica has the fluid, ethereal quality of flute, but with the clarity of bells.

On several tracks, Mr. Hinely accompanies himself on acoustic guitar, a magnificent embellishment which lends welcome rhythm as well as a folk earthiness to the sound. He plays a set composed almost entirely of traditional carols, in keeping with the renaissance nature of the instrument. He begins with Silent Night, an unusual choice in my opinion, since most artists save this required element for a closer. As he uses it here, Silent Night becomes peaceful morning. This is followed by a surprisingly well-articulated Canon in D Major. But the set hits its stride with Good King Wenceslas, a song that includes guitar.

The entire set is sweet and delicious. Entirely instumental, this CD lends itself to inclusion in any new age or instrumental mix. But I have listened to it several times straight through, and still haven't gotten enough of it. It is the sort of music that is simple without being austere, pure without seeming plain. If you haven't listened to glass Harmonica, Mr. Hinely's Midwinter Carols: Fourteen Selections on Glass Harmonica is a very good opportunity to take the plunge.

--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2006)

Our Review

Although I have listened to the exquisite tones of holiday music in a myriad of formats, from harps to steel drums to kazoos and beyond, the crystalline sounds of Donal Hinely's Midwinter Carols: Fourteen Selections on Glass Harmonica provides something exciting and new. The bright, spot-on intonations produced by Hinely's rubbing along the rims of 24 wine glasses and brandy snifters (mounted on "an old piece of plywood") bring vibrant life to holiday standards. I have never before appreciated the virtues of wine and brandy in this context; it's an enriching experience. The sparkling, pure notes evoke images of bright starlight on winter snow. Very nice. These 14 carols are almost all familiar friends. The traditional song selection is cheerful, but contemplative, providing an overall feel-good ambiance for that quiet evening at home. Although Hinely's "glass harmonica" is unique and lovely in its own right, I found myself generally preferring the tracks on which the artist's acoustic guitar establishes a warm foundation. Cuts like Coventry Carol and Carol of the Bells (personal favorites) flourish under the very cool glass harmonica/acoustic guitar counterpoints. The two instruments complement each other extremely well. Of the tracks exclusively featuring the glass harmonica, Hinely's own First Light stands out. I especially enjoyed the multiple layers of harmony on this intricate, delicate, and quite sophisticated creation. You can almost sense that "first light" breaking over the snow on Christmas morning. Donal Hinely's Midwinter Carols is a sweet treasure for those favoring something a bit different under the tree this holiday season. Break out the wine glasses and brandy snifters, and be merry!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2006)

More

From the liner notes:

Donal Hinely - Glass Harmonica, Acoustic Guitar
Engineered by John Wheeler at Renaissance Recording, Nashville, TN.

From promotional materials:

With a little water, an agile touch, and an odd assortment of wine glasses and brandy snifters purchased at thrift stores, Donal Hinely has entertained and delighted audiences at festivals, street fairs, coffee houses, special events, private parties, weddings, and art shows throughout the southern and mid eastern United States. The music he coaxes from his home-made Glass Harmonica is lilting and ethereal. The tones are produced by rubbing wet fingers across the rims of the glasses and bring to mind the sound of a violin, a flute, an organ, or even at times a steel drum. He learned this obsolete art --which dates back to the days of Mozart-- from his older brother Terry Hinely, a self taught glass player. Together in 1988 they formed Glasnots, a group which played traditional Irish and original music and featured Terry on the glasses and Donal on guitar and vocals. In 1994, Donal moved to Nashville to pursue his career as a singer/songwriter but continued to record and perform with Glasnots. In the spring of 1997, TerryHinely was killed in a car accident. The following year, Donal picked up the instrument that his brother had pioneered and today carries on the family tradition, playing an eclectic repertoire of traditional tunes from the British Isles, classical music, original compositions, and holiday favorites.

Hinely's company, Scuffletown Records, has grown to house 11 CD titles, including all six of the original Glasnots CDs and three of his own instrumental glass harmonica CDs. His latest CD, "Giants" was co-produced with David Henry (Josh Rouse, Vienna Teng) and features all new original songs and the guitar of Will Kimbrough (Rodney Crowell). Earning praise from both independent and mainstream press, "Giants" remained on the AMA album chart for 11 weeks, quite a feat for an independent release. It also garnered a nomination for best album of the year by the annual Independent Music Awards. Hitting all points of the compass in 2006, Hinely showcased his songs at both the South by Southwest Music Conference in Austin, Texas and at North by Northwest in Toronto.

Donal has been the subject of many local features in Nashville including "Bulger's Beat" on WSMV-TV News, "Talk of the Town" on WTVF-TV and two appearances on NPR's "Mainstream Drive" live radio program. Dave Higgs, host of NPR's Bluegrass Breakdown, says Hinely "has the rare ability to completely engross the listener and transport him or her to another place and time." In 2001, Hinely performed for the governor of Tennessee and other dignitaries at the opening of the prestigious Frist Center for the Visual Arts in downtown Nashville. In December of 2001, he entertained the chancellor of Vanderbilt University and his alumni guests for three successive nights at the historic Braeburn House.

Donal Hinely

Midwinter Carols: Fourteen Selections on Glass Harmonica

Order from Amazon

Track List