Teed Rockwell
31st August 2002, 8.03 pm
HI Tappers,
Here's a review I wrote for the Touchstyle Quarterly some time ago. It's all still true.
What I've learned from Daniel Kane.
by Teed Rockwell
Many times I've thought "maybe touchstyle playing is just a gimmick. After all, the only people who use it are over educated techno-nerds like me" Then I listen to Daniel, and all of those fears vanish like the wind. The main thing Daniel has is heart, and the ability to communicate that through his music. He's paid his dues and knows how to express himself through his music like no other tapper.
I would advise any beginning tapper that if you're going to own only one tapping recording, it should be both of Daniel's CDs. Learning how to play Daniel's melodies, which are not technically difficult, will get you started off on the right foot better than any teacher could. If you really try to capture their essence you will subconsciously pick up Daniel's subtle but powerful dynamics, his unique use of bends and vibrato, and numerous other factors that I continue to discover the more I try to play them.
Last year I had the most important recording session in my life. Geist was in Fantasy Studio with Dawn Atkinson (A former Windham Hill producer with gold and platinum albums for her "Winter Solstice" series) recording a "Geist" piece for a Polygram CD called "Harpestry". I knew that Dawn would not be impressed with fast flashy scales. What she cares about is expressive playing, and I wasn't at all sure that I would be able to deliver that. I got an inspiration to learn Daniel Kane tunes, and for several weeks I played along in unison with Daniel's first CD, trying to capture the special feeling he creates. It did wonders for me,, and what I've learned from doing that has stayed with me on my other pieces as well. Dawn complimented my playing, and the CD (a compilation which features harp music in combination with a variety of instruments, including another cut with LA Stick player Dan Schiff), reached the Top 10 on the Billboard New Age charts.
After that experience I was so psyched I bought Daniel's 2nd CD (something I'd been meaning to do for a long time) and he sent me some order forms. The relevant info is:
tapes are $10 CDs $15, plus $3 shipping. (I would suggest that Australians, Europeans etc. send $4.) If you buy a set of one tape and one CD, it's $22 a set.
the Address is
SME
2215 R Market St.Suite 243
San Francisco CA 94114
Phone (415) 468 4347
(note: I'm not sure this is still a valid address. Do a websearch, and see if you can find newer info- TR)
His first recording "on the Street where you live" is almost all solo stick. His Second "Shadows on the Sky" features Stick in combination with Synthesers, vocals, and some other instruments. There are elements of Blues, soul, bossa nova, all combined into a unique personal style. Not everything works when he branches out into other instruments. The effect is that of a very talented artist working with fewer resources than he deserves. But his vocals are superb (both rough and smooth at the same time, rather like the voice that Neil Diamond wishes he had but doesn't), and there are a couple of blues songs (especially "Hole in my Pocket") that really make the stick sound like it's rooted in a tradition. I'm sure most of you are leery of buying albums with "Stick and other Instruments" when what you want to hear is Stick, but I would still recommend "Shadows on the Sky" as the one to buy if you're only going to buy one. Daniel's playing grows significantly, featuring some very nice Jazzy chords played with his very special touch.
Here's a review I wrote for the Touchstyle Quarterly some time ago. It's all still true.
What I've learned from Daniel Kane.
by Teed Rockwell
Many times I've thought "maybe touchstyle playing is just a gimmick. After all, the only people who use it are over educated techno-nerds like me" Then I listen to Daniel, and all of those fears vanish like the wind. The main thing Daniel has is heart, and the ability to communicate that through his music. He's paid his dues and knows how to express himself through his music like no other tapper.
I would advise any beginning tapper that if you're going to own only one tapping recording, it should be both of Daniel's CDs. Learning how to play Daniel's melodies, which are not technically difficult, will get you started off on the right foot better than any teacher could. If you really try to capture their essence you will subconsciously pick up Daniel's subtle but powerful dynamics, his unique use of bends and vibrato, and numerous other factors that I continue to discover the more I try to play them.
Last year I had the most important recording session in my life. Geist was in Fantasy Studio with Dawn Atkinson (A former Windham Hill producer with gold and platinum albums for her "Winter Solstice" series) recording a "Geist" piece for a Polygram CD called "Harpestry". I knew that Dawn would not be impressed with fast flashy scales. What she cares about is expressive playing, and I wasn't at all sure that I would be able to deliver that. I got an inspiration to learn Daniel Kane tunes, and for several weeks I played along in unison with Daniel's first CD, trying to capture the special feeling he creates. It did wonders for me,, and what I've learned from doing that has stayed with me on my other pieces as well. Dawn complimented my playing, and the CD (a compilation which features harp music in combination with a variety of instruments, including another cut with LA Stick player Dan Schiff), reached the Top 10 on the Billboard New Age charts.
After that experience I was so psyched I bought Daniel's 2nd CD (something I'd been meaning to do for a long time) and he sent me some order forms. The relevant info is:
tapes are $10 CDs $15, plus $3 shipping. (I would suggest that Australians, Europeans etc. send $4.) If you buy a set of one tape and one CD, it's $22 a set.
the Address is
SME
2215 R Market St.Suite 243
San Francisco CA 94114
Phone (415) 468 4347
(note: I'm not sure this is still a valid address. Do a websearch, and see if you can find newer info- TR)
His first recording "on the Street where you live" is almost all solo stick. His Second "Shadows on the Sky" features Stick in combination with Synthesers, vocals, and some other instruments. There are elements of Blues, soul, bossa nova, all combined into a unique personal style. Not everything works when he branches out into other instruments. The effect is that of a very talented artist working with fewer resources than he deserves. But his vocals are superb (both rough and smooth at the same time, rather like the voice that Neil Diamond wishes he had but doesn't), and there are a couple of blues songs (especially "Hole in my Pocket") that really make the stick sound like it's rooted in a tradition. I'm sure most of you are leery of buying albums with "Stick and other Instruments" when what you want to hear is Stick, but I would still recommend "Shadows on the Sky" as the one to buy if you're only going to buy one. Daniel's playing grows significantly, featuring some very nice Jazzy chords played with his very special touch.