Hand Woven

Lorin Grean — songwriter, Celtic harpist, and singer — has recorded with the likes of Kenny Loggins and Kate Wolf. Hand Woven, Grean's third album, is finely polished and features silky strings, strong clear voice and overdubbed harmonizing (no lyrics, just vocalese), and endearing melodies. The full-bodied arrangements — brimming with world percussion, flutes, violin, bass, and background vocals — are trusted to such top talents as Randy Tico (bass, percussion, and ocarina) and Charlie "John Tesh" Bisharat on violin. The pieces are not classically Celtic; Grean integrates many world instruments and an obvious love of cats. The title cut is a four-part ode to kitties, while others reveal her devotion (or possession): "The Grey Cat's Night Prowl," "Calico Toes," the Indian-flavored "The Bengal's Secret," and "Night Vision." Grean's siren-like vocalese carries the bulk of the melodies. "Spindrift" with recorder, harp, voice(s) and bones, is a lyrical charmer; Grean warms it up with accents of vocal "hummmmz." This captivating album will beg for frequent playing.