MINA by Geoff Smith
MINA is a unique collection of immense instrumentals & sensual songs performed on hammered dulcimers & vocals. Featuring the world-leading innovator and pioneer in composition, song-writing & performance on the hammered dulcimer: the inventor of the Fluid Dulcimer & Fluid Piano.
Geoff Smith uses three different prototype hammered dulcimers on Mina:
(i) the microtonal ‘Fluid Dulcimer’.
(ii) a fully chromatic hammered dulcimer with a unique tuning layout.
(iii) a customised diatonic hammered dulcimer with an extended bass section.
The Fluid Dulcimer was invented by Smith. It is a hammered dulcimer that incorporates ‘Fluid Tuning’ mechanisms which facilitate adjustable microtonal tuning on each note individually and separately. This therefore enables the exploration of tuning and the creation of 'bespoke' tunings per composition. Smith's invention of the Fluid Piano subsequently evolved from the prototype Fluid Dulcimer.
Smith is the only musician in the world to have explored, in both composition and performance, a comprehensive spectrum of percussion and drum rudiments on the Hammered Dulcimer. This can be clearly heard on this album as well as seen, for example, in the two bonus items of music notation pdfs for the tracks Ferocious Tenderness and Pale Powder Blue. Intrinsic to facilitating this composition and performance technique has also been the use of a different design of hammers as well as method of gripping the hammers: i.e. the way in which the hammers are actually held in each hand and manoeuvred within each hand during performance.
This approach has given Smith the means by which to express, explore and enhance a vast dynamic and emotional range in his composition and song writing.
Album track list
(1) I Let You Pass Me By
(Geoff Smith: vocal & chromatic dulcimer. Lyrics by Geoff Smith)
(2) Rome
(Geoff Smith: vocal & chromatic dulcimer)
(3) Ferocious Tenderness
(Geoff Smith: Fluid Dulcimer)
(4) Mina
(Geoff Smith: vocal & chromatic dulcimer. Lyrics by Geoff Smith)
(5) Pale Powder Blue
(Geoff Smith: vocal & diatonic dulcimer)
(6) Aldobrandini 00184
(Geoff Smith: chromatic dulcimer)
(7) The Mystery of Innocence
(Geoff Smith: vocal & chromatic dulcimer. Lyrics by Geoff Smith)
(8) Persona
(Geoff Smith: Fluid Dulcimer)
(9) Stream of Consciousness
(Geoff Smith: Fluid Dulcimer)
(Album duration: 60 minutes & 7 seconds).
Media Reviews
“The musical equivalent of splitting the atom” The Guardian
“ The Hammered Dulcimer has been waiting for someone like Geoff Smith to come along” Fiona Talkington, BBC Radio 3
“Smith is a virtuoso percussionist who has revolutionised the Dulcimer” The Sunday Times
Tracklist
| 1. | I Let You Pass Me By | 5:01 |
| 2. | Rome | 8:10 |
| 3. | Ferocious Tenderness | 7:29 |
| 4. | Mina | 4:11 |
| 5. | Pale Powder Blue | 5:33 |
| 6. | Aldobrandini 00184 | 4:01 |
| 7. | The Mystery of Innocence | 7:59 |
| 8. | Persona | 5:44 |
| 9. | Stream of Consciousness | 12:02 |
Credits
Composed & performed by Geoff Smith on multiple prototype hammered dulcimers & vocals. All lyrics written by Geoff Smith.
License
All rights reserved.Tags
Composer, performer, songwriter, vocalist & inventor Geoff Smith is acknowledged as a world-leading virtuoso and a unique innovator & pioneer in composition, technique and performance on the Hammered Dulcimer. His albums comprise songs, instrumentals & film soundtracks. He is the inventor of both the Fluid Piano & Fluid Dulcimer.
“The musical equivalent of splitting the atom” The Guardian