Reviews
Thomasina Levy (hereafter known as simply Thomasina) has a new CD, Holding
Back The Night, that combines great singing and song writing with some
wonderfully appropriate dulcimer arrangements - skillfully augmented by talented guests -
into a delightful listening experience. Guests include percussionist John Marshall;
guitarist Jeff Pevar, who regularly tours with David Crosby; multi-instrumentalist Billy
Novick on saxophones, flute, whistle and clarinet, who has several solo albums of his own;
and Steve Schneider on accordion and hammered dulcimer. This is a deceptively complex
album that very successfully combines the simplicity of the dulcimer with world-beat
percussion, traditional melodies, contemporary folk songs, and strong Thomasina originals.
Danielle Mailer did a truly great job on the cover art as well. I don't know where you're
going to get the money, but you'll need this one, too. Selections include If I were a
carpenter, I Live Not Where I Love, Starry Night Waltz, Love Is Little/Simple Gifts.
...excerpt taken from Dulcimer Player News, Fall 1999
Sing Out! Magazine -Fall 1999 - Vol. 4, No. 1
The mountain dulcimer has undergone a redefinition in the past few years. No
longer exclusively the accompaniment instrument of traditional singers, the mountain
dulcimer has been used in a variety of dissimilar settings from Cindy Lauper on MTV to Don
Pedi and Lorraine Hammond and their wonderfully inventive fiddle-tune accompaniment
styles.
Thomasina has created a sound that totally integrates the mountain dulcimer into the full
accompaniment of this recording. Holding Back The Night features both traditional and
contemporary selections featuring Thomasina’s sweet and soulful vocal styling in a
setting featuring percussion, reeds, accordion and various electric and acoustic string
and keyboard instruments.
The recording opens with the Tim Hardin classic “If I were a Carpenter” and
Thomasina surprisingly brings new life to the old chestnut. Her inclusion of a medley of
Shaker tunes including “Simple Gifts” again surprises the listener with a
rendition that is full-bodied and interesting, especially when placed with the seldom
heard “Love is Little.” A song about reassuring a frightened child in the middle
of the night, “Imagination,” places the mountain dulcimer in a rhythm and blues
setting alongside baritone sax and pulsating bass-line, ploughing new ground on the
instrument.
Another successful hybrid is the arrangement of the original Chanukah song “Eight
Candles Burning.” It features a children’s chorus along with percussion,
dulcimer and a klezmer-inspired clarinet in accompaniment to Thomasina’s lovely
vocals.
The recording concludes with the title tune, a delicate lullaby accompanied by
fingerpicked dulcimer and synthesized keyboards, a gentle ending to a beautiful recording.
The beauty of this release becomes apparent with each successive listening. Textures
emerge and you will find different tunes taking you through your day. Thomasina has
produced a wonderfully integrated contemporary collection of songs accompanied by the
mountain dulcimer.
Tom Druckenmiller
Quotes
Thomasina's "Chasing Cloud Shadows"
album has a treasure trove of interesting sounds that flows from one
image to the next with such texture it's amazing. The music ranges from
instrumentals to traditional folk songs with a crisp backing ensemble
behind her most lovely voice and world-class dulcimer. Add some
excellent originals and even some tasty rock guitar here and there...and
you'll be fully entertained, as well as inspired.
Eddie Russell
The Country Eastern / Outlaw For Peace Radio Show
Rainbow Smoke Network
A beautiful girl, a great voice, an old instrument, three elements that
form together a new star at the folk firmament.
Peter Kranendonk
Spek met peren & Irish coffee
Radio Hoeksche Waard, The Netherlands
Thomasina's latest album opens with the sound of sun chasing away the
clouds, driving them over grassy fields and through whispering trees.
That sound is captured through a dulcimer put to excellent use, and it
joins with a fine vocalist and strong assistance to keep the skies clear
through the appropriately titled Chasing Cloud Shadows. The dulcimer is
a living river of sound, by turns wild and placid, but always a natural
force powering the songs. Only Thomasina's voice could steal its
limelight, and does...This is a fine album for fans of the dulcimer's
sweeter side, or anyone looking to chase the shadows from their sky.
Sarah Meador, Rambles E-Magazine
Your recording is outstanding.
Upper Room with Joe Kelley
WVOF 88.5 FM in Fairfield, CT
Thomasina's "Chasing Cloud Shadows" album has a treasure trove of
interesting sounds that flows from one image to the next with such
texture it's amazing. The music ranges from instrumentals to traditional
folk songs with a crisp backing ensemble behind her most lovely voice
and world-class dulcimer. Add some excellent originals and even some
tasty rock guitar here and there...and you'll be fully entertained, as
well as inspired.
Eddie Russell
The Country Eastern / Outlaw For Peace Radio Show
Rainbow Smoke Network
A beautiful girl, a great voice, an old instrument, three elements
that form together a new star at the folk firmament.
Peter Kranendonk
Spek met peren & Irish coffee
Radio Hoeksche Waard, The Netherlands
Thomasina's latest album opens with the sound of sun chasing away the
clouds, driving them over grassy fields and through whispering trees.
That sound is captured through a dulcimer put to excellent use, and it
joins with a fine vocalist and strong assistance to keep the skies clear
through the appropriately titled Chasing Cloud Shadows. The dulcimer is
a living river of sound, by turns wild and placid, but always a natural
force powering the songs. Only Thomasina's voice could steal its
limelight, and does...This is a fine album for fans of the dulcimer's
sweeter side, or anyone looking to chase the shadows from their sky.
Sarah Meador, Rambles E-Magazine
Thomasina is an excellent instructor. She has a terrific ability
to 'connect' with each student meeting all of our individual needs.
Extremely effective and intuitive-amazingly able to meet the various
needs of different students simultaneously. She encouraged us to enjoy
our music. She played an immensely diverse repertoire.
Excellent, Excellent, Excellent! It would be wise to invite her again
and again. She had fantastic communication skills!!! She provided
instruction in many skills and techniques and gave opportunity to
practice as well.Swannanoa Gathering, Asheville, NC-Dulcimer Week 2000
Dear Thomasina,
Thank you so much for teaching me to play the dulcimer! I'm very happy that you came to
our school! After you came music became more important to me. I mean it was
important before but not as much.
Happy Valentines day!!!!!!
from,
Alison
(grade 4)
Mitchell School
Dear Tomasina (sic),
Thank you for the fun time with dulcimer it was cool I wish I could do it all over again
with you I hope you could do it with other kids because I want them to have the fun I did.
sincerely (sic),
Tommy D.
(grade 4)
Mitchell School
From album design to music within- Holding Back the Night is a
refreshing blend of tradition meets cool 2000. Will be airing.
Eddie Russell, JRRI, International Short Wave Radio
An excellent album. Quality musicianship and tight arrangements over distinctive
material and fine singing. Thomasina's voice is a hauntingly pure and
subtle instrument and Holding Back the Night deserves to be heard by
many.
John O' Regan, Broadcaster, Limerick, Ireland
A truly outstanding disc! The original songs are great and the
interpretations of the folk songs are inspired.
Marty Scarbrough, KASU 91.9 FM , State University, Arkansas
Thanks! Beautiful! Will air on several shows.
John Roths KEOS, 89.1. FM College Station, Texas
A great recording. Thank you!! Looking forward to more from your
label.
Jim Rogers, WIUP, 90.1 Indiana, Pennsylvania
Excellent!
Steve Jarrett, KOPN, 89.5 FM Columbia. Missouri
We'll play from the entire CD! Thanks!
Walt Gander, WXPR, 91.7, Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Thomasina is a mountain dulcimer
innovator...interesting...esoteric...sweet alto voice...Well Done.
Sing Out! Magazine
...with a new style and grace, Thomasina can turn heads. 'A
Peaceful Storm' has some head turning performances. Investigate.
John O'Regan, Rock 'N Reel Magazine Broadcaster, Limerick, Ireland
...mountain dulcimer with bone and sinew.
Frank Gosar, KLCC 89.7 FM The Saturday Cafe, Eugene, OR
Thomasina's gentle and whimsical music appeals to a wide range of
audiences as she draws upon family and friends and incorporates them
into her songs.
The Canton Creative Arts Council Canton, CT
I love it!!! Your voice is so rich and expressive.
The entire production is
top-notch. I especially liked your title cut (A Peaceful Storm) - a real mood evoker.
This
is an album that I want to listen to over and over again.
Sue Carpenter, Nassau, NY Cranberry Dulcimer Gathering Organizer
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