Local Talent Shines In String Theory

By Gwen Orel

String Theory, an album of Celtic tunes on harp and guitar, has a sweet, delicate vibe. Iris Nevins programs concerts at the Irish American Association of New Jersey (IAANJ), and is well known in the area as a guitar player, jewelry maker, and, for the past few years, a harper. Her CD Celtic Dreams is a charmer, and now String Theory captures an ethereal sweetness.

In 14 tracks, including three original tunes, Iris creates a mood of mists and daydreams. She plays the harp, guitar and also wire-strung harp, which you don't get to hear very often, on the CD.

On some tracks she's joined by Linda Hickman on flute and whistle; Doug Barr on concertina, Richard Sutton on bodhran, and Tom Dunne on accordion.

Some of these names are sure to be well known to session goers in the tri-state, particularly those who frequent the Cat n' Fiddle session at St. James' Gate in Maplewood, New Jersey.

Iris opens the album with the solo harp tune "Lament for the Lost," a haunting tune in a minor key that, she writes, was "composed to remember all who were lost in our lives."

So clear and sweet is "Planxty Anne Dunne" that it sounds like an O'Carolan tune, but it was composed by Tom Dunne in honor of his late wife. This one Iris plays on the wire-strung harp. Iris follows that one with a rendition of "Carolan's Draught," played on guitar with Hickman on flute.

"The Mystery," a tune by Iris that transposes "The Rolling Waves" into the minor key on the harp, has a whole atmosphere to it, as does Iris' rendition of "Arran Boat Song" with Barr on concertina. The Breton tune "The Wren" sounds particularly evocative on the wire-strung harp.

Some of the tunes, like "Eddie Moloney's/My First Night in America," are session tunes, but they are performed with delicacy that brings out another side of them.

Overall, String Theory is a welcome addition to your iPod.

String Theory is available at www.hearts-content.net