A Wish, like a hope
or a dream, whether simple or complex, is always personal. Yet the wishes of
two artists can be expressed in one creative project like this one by Karen
Oberlin and Sean Harkness. Karen had wished for years to make a duo recording
with only guitar and vocals, and she found the ideal partner in Sean. When they
first played together, spontaneously in an impromptu performance, they both
knew they had to make an album together, or that became their great, mutual
wish. Kitty Skrobela of Miranda Music, as is her way, made their dream come to
life, their hope become reality, their wish come true. The fascinating,
eclectic mix of extraordinary songwriters on this album, like Dorothy Fields,
Paul McCartney, Fred Hersch and Joni Mitchell, unwittingly collaborated on this
project as the song springboard for what these two artists wished to express.
Collectively, Karen and Sean have brought to life this multi-faceted, deeply
felt wish with a deliciously personal perspective on life and love...as if
anything else matters.
Sean Harkness is
one of the most deeply respected, genre-jumping and capable guitarists alive.
Jazz Inside New York said he was "a technical virtuoso whose Joe
Pass/Tommy Emmanuel finger style approach is always in service to telling a
story or creating a feeling within the song; Harkness transcends many genres
and can touch listeners of many backgrounds." Regarding Karen Oberlin,
winner of a recent Nightlife Award for Jazz Vocalist of the Year, the New York
Times said "Beyond having a lovely voice, poise and interpretive insight,
Ms. Oberlin has impeccable style and musical intelligence." She has had
acclaim singing everything from Kern to Costello, and is celebrated for her
song storytelling. Both of these great, versatile artists have toured internationally
in both clubs and concert halls, are the recipients of numerous esteemed awards
and are also accomplished recording artists with many group and solo recordings
between them.
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