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Amanda Whiting: Lost In Abstraction

By Peter Jones
June 20, 2022
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The revival in the fortunes of the harp has been one of the more unexpected developments in jazz:

Brandee Younger

harp
b.1983

" data-original-title="" title="">Brandee Younger's 2021 album Somewhere Different made an impact on both sides of the Atlantic. In the UK, the instrument has been finding favor in the hands of both

Tara Minton

harp

" data-original-title="" title="">Tara Minton and

Alina Bzhezhinska

harp

" data-original-title="" title="">Alina Bzhezhinska. Now Wales' very own

Amanda Whiting

harp

" data-original-title="" title="">Amanda Whiting is coming up fast on the rails with this, her third album.

Listening to Lost in Abstraction is a rich and rewarding experience, proving once again that the harp can do much more than signal flashbacks in movies. Whiting uses it as a strongly melodic instrument, as opposed to an impressionist swirl or as a shadow of

Alice Coltrane

piano
1937 - 2007

" data-original-title="" title="">Alice Coltrane. In fact, if there is any discernible influence, it is that of

Dorothy Ashby

harp
1932 - 1996

" data-original-title="" title="">Dorothy Ashby, who was able to create a whole new identity for the harp, making it sound comfortable across a range of musical styles. And there is just as much variety on show here.

Whiting is a fan of hip-hop, drum'n'bass and Latin music, as well as more obvious jazz progenitors such as

Bill Evans

piano
1929 - 1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Evans. "Got It?" for example, is a funky, noirish tune which would make a fine theme for some dark TV drama. On "Up There," her command of dynamics enables her to switch from a gentle, folky solo intro to a driving waltz, aided by capable sidemen

Aidan Thorne

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Aidan Thorne on bass,

Jon Reynolds

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Jon Reynolds on drums, and percussionist

Baldo Verdu

percussion

" data-original-title="" title="">Baldo Verdu. Her solo work, as on the ballad "Discarded," is deep and masterful. Guest appearances by flautist

Chip Wickham

woodwinds

" data-original-title="" title="">Chip Wickham on the tango number "Venus Fly Trap" and the bossa nova "Temptation" remind us of the time when both were playing with

Matthew Halsall

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Matthew Halsall, where Whiting's role was relatively limited. But she is at her best when she is in the spotlight—that is how good she is (and by the way, the record sleeve is as gorgeous as the music).

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Track Listing

Abstraction; Lost; Venus Fly Trap; Temptation; Too Much; Where Would We Be; Up There; Discarded; Suspended; Got It?

Personnel

Amanda Whiting

harp

Chip Wickham

woodwinds

Aidan Thorne

bass

Jon Reynolds

drums

Baldo Verdu

percussion

Album information

Title: Lost In Abstraction | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Jazzman Records

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