Todd Hallawell - Ear Candy

A note from Dan Crary: Some days start well. After a crashed computer, downloads that didn't (download), and deadlines that did (go dead) today started nicely with the music of Ear Candy finally arriving and sweetening up the summer morning with some beautiful stuff. Mind you, I had my doubts; I always have doubts about yet another steel-string guitar instrumental project, especially my own, as to whether it will have enough freshness, originality, virtuosity, dynamics, taste, and a little familiarity, to add up to something people will enjoy, return to, recommend, and also purchase. But happily with this project, the answer is yes, yes, yes, and yes again. Todd and Robin are pals and collaborators who obviously have made it to the same page musically... they weave in and out of each others musical space with expertise and grace. The beautiful music they make has all the qualities I listed above. But in addition, the project itself hangs together: it starts nice and pretty and goes to great and powerful, and you want to go along with it. I especially liked Dizzy Fingers, Davey Jones, and Third Eyebrow, all hot with virtuosity and warped with beautiful irony. And then it takes you to sweet and melodic, but then moves to a surprise: an arrangement of Turkey Knob that you actually love, and you don't want to end. Todd and Robin are, of course, well-known as award-winners and giants in the acoustic guitar world, but Todd the fingerpicking giant here has taken up the flatpick for this project, and he enters that extremely small world of artists who are great at both. And Robin here plays at the top of his monumental game, better than ever, full of power and authority and originality. But the biggest feat of all, the one you chase for a lifetime, the most elusive goal, is to make a collection of recorded tunes that will last, because people will return to them with joy. When that happens, it's beautiful, as you are about to find out. - Dan Crary.

1) Vinton's Hornpipe
2) Russian Rag
3) Hoodoo Hoedown
4) Eleanor
5) Campground Medley
6) Dizzy Fingers
7) Davy Jones Hornpipe
8) The Third Eyebrow
9) Sidh Beag Sidh Mor
10) Harvest Home
11) Maple Leaf Rag
12) Turkey Knob
13) Elzic's Farewell