[Harp, Easy Listening] Ulla Van Daelen - Surprise (2002) [FLAC]

Ulla Van Daelen - Surprise (2002)
| FLAC (Tracks+Cue) | 322 MB | Harp, Easy Listening | Label: Atracao Fonografica | Covers |

Ulla Van Daelen – Surprise (2002) is a captivating and refreshingly inventive album that showcases the concert harp in an entirely new light. Blending elements of classical, world music, jazz, and easy listening, Ulla Van Daelen transforms the harp from its traditional role into a dynamic and expressive lead voice, supported beautifully by Urs Fuchs on acoustic bass and Mario Argandoña on percussion.

The title track “Surprise” opens the album with a vibrant and upbeat tone, setting the stage for an eclectic journey. Van Daelen’s mastery of soundboard percussion and intricate harp phrasing immediately catches the ear. Tracks like “Story” and “Floating” offer a dreamy, flowing quality, ideal for relaxed contemplation, while “Bulgarian Rhythm” brings in lively folk-inspired energy and complex time signatures.

“Quizas” and “Cora-Waltz” blend Latin warmth and classical grace, showcasing her ability to seamlessly merge cultures and moods. There’s playfulness in “Punk Panther” and rhythmic humor in “Gagtime”, reflecting Van Daelen’s joy in experimenting with genre boundaries. “Memorire” and “Minnelies” lean more introspective, offering moments of gentle nostalgia.

The album closes with a sense of global exploration—“Boliviana” evokes Andean textures, while “Chinenco” incorporates Asian-inspired motifs, subtly woven through the harp's luminous timbre.

Overall, Surprise is a delight for both harp enthusiasts and casual listeners. Ulla Van Daelen redefines what the harp can do, infusing each track with innovation, warmth, and precision. It’s an album that surprises not only with its technical skill but also with its emotional range and global flair—an enchanting listening experience from start to finish.

Acoustic Bass, Percussion – Urs Fuchs
Harp [Concert-Harp], Percussion [Soundboard-Percussion] – Ulla van Daelen
Percussion – Mario Argandoña

Tracklist::
01 - Suripise ...04:25
02 - Story ...04:44
03 - Floating ...06:34
04 - Bulgarian Rhythm ...04:00
05 - Quizas ...04:17
06 - What's Up In March ...05:09
07 - Punk Panther ...04:36
08 - Cora-Waltz ...05:34
09 - Memorire ...05:14
10 - Chinenco ...04:35
11 - Gagtime ...03:39
12 - Minnelies ...03:23
13 - Sunday-Blues ...02:32
14 - Boliviana ...02:26

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