Houser, Michael - Door Harp

Year of Release: 2002
Label: Sanctuary
Catalog Number: 84576
Format: CD
Total Time: 43:18:00

Before the sad passing of Michael Houser last year, he wrapped up his entire life and music with a solo recording titled Door Harp The music is beautiful, sad, colorful, and full of the life that Houser lived when he was with us in this realm of existence. As a central part of the group Widespread Panic he gained the respect and admiration of the band's fans and peers for helping to change the perception and popularity of jamband music with several years of outstanding contributions. His musical statement is loud and clear on this album as his farewell to us all. Without every uttering a word he manages to make the absence of vocals a welcome change.

While this music is in direct proportion to what he created with the band that he made his mark in, it also has a more rootsy country feel to it thanks to the extensive use of lap steel, mandolin, and gentle percussion. It is all a very handsome mixture of stringed instruments, piano, percussion, and cello combined that compare and contrast to so many other styles of music you have heard before. It is very similar to the feel and atmosphere created on a new age album in that a spiritual tone is set and held throughout the recording.

This is unmistakably Michael Houser in his element. We will all miss his fine artistry, yet in our hearts we know we can keep a piece of him forever with his legacy of music. Rest assured, his work and spirit will live on forever in his music. As he leaves us at the closing of this album with a slice of heaven nurtured by his own hands called "Quiteude,? we all know that the curtain closes for the last time most appropriately, for a man that now lives amongst the angels.

Tracklisting:
Missoula (3:21) / Eva's Song (2:32) / Barbette's Song (4:11) / Spanish Gold (3:31) / Old #1 (3:02) / The Westerly Wind (2:13) / Cleburne Terrace (3:28) / Door Harp (4:43) / Fall Line (3:35) / The Owl's Song (3:51) / The Music Song (3:57) / Lullaby For NYC (3:23) / A Change In The Weather (4:23) / Quietude (3:08)

Musicians:
Andy Carlson - violin
Michael Houser - guitar, mandolin, piano
John Keane - guitar, pedal steel, keyboards
Domingo S. Ortiz - percussion
David Henry - cello

Discography:
Widespread Panic - Space Wrangler (1988)
Widespread Panic - Widespread Panic (1991)
Widespread Panic - Everyday (1993)
Widespread Panic - Ain't Life Grand (1994)
Widespread Panic - Bombs & Butterflies (1997)
Widespread Panic - Light Fuse, Get Away (1998)
Widespread Panic - 'Til The Medicine Takes (1999)
Widespread Panic - Another Joyous Occasion (2000)
Widespread Panic - Don't Tell The Band (double CD, 2001)
Widespread Panic - Don't Tell The Band (single CD) (2001)
Widespread Panic - Live In The Classic City (2002)
Door Harp (2002)

Genre: Rock

Origin US

Added: February 11th 2003
Reviewer: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck
Score:
Artist website: www.widespreadpanic.com/michaelhouser.asp
Hits: 2407
Language: english