Trespass Music is pleased to announce another excellent review coming in for Ken Dunn's "Wondrous Beauty," this time from Remo Ricaldone in Italy!
Synopsis - "Wondrous Beauty is a deeply appealing album from Canada's Ken Dunn that intrigues and seduces with its blend of remarkably expressed Celtic, old-time country, and folk. A strong demand for peace and justice fills many of the melodies, as well as poetry typical of the best folk ballads, and instrumentals exuding the charm of music from Scotland and Ireland."
"Ken Dunn's "Wondrous Beauty" is an interesting indie album from Canada, and yet another confirmation of the lively music scene north of the United States border.
Ken Dunn is a veteran of the Canadian music scene, has recorded seven records, and over the decades has shared the stage with important musicians such as Jerry Jeff Walker and, among them, cult musicians like Willie P. Bennett and Garnet Rogers, dividing his passion between old time country and folk music.
The main topics of the album reflect Ken's dedication to social and environmental justice, as well as inspiring personal stories, and still, "Wondrous Beauty" captures soft, well crafted, acoustic, and pleasant arrangements throughout. The musical base is characterized by arrangements that intertwine with Celtic stylings.
Ken resides in British Columbia and yet has remarkably expressed Celtic influences in this recording. With Tyler Beckett's fervent and incisive fiddle always in the foreground, keyboards of his wife Anna Green, a complimentary rhythm section by Mark Mariash, Randy Martin's bass, Jacob McCauley on a couple of tunes with bodhran (a drum associated with Irish tradition) and Ben Grossman on hurdy gurdy (in Italy known as a ghoul, a widely used instrument in the Western Alpine valleys) the additional instruments provide more traditional nuances to the album.
'Saskatoon' opens the album with flowing poetry typical of the best folk ballads, a love song that perfectly defines Ken Dunn's philosophy of life. A strong plea for peace and justice fills melodies such as 'On My Merry Way,' and 'Wild and Free.'
Fiddler Tyler Beckett, is amazing especially in the 'Hills Of Strathavon' evolution, a masterpiece "folk ballad", and also the intense 'Hold On' and the lilting instrumental 'Tales Of Wandering' where more than in others, moments emerge with the charm of the music of Scotland and Ireland."
Remo Ricaldone - Planet Country - Italy
http://www.planetcountry.it/ken-dunn-wondrous-beauty/
DJS Airplay Direct click HERE
MORE ABOUT KEN DUNN
"Highly evocative and intriguing" (fRoots, UK), the music of Ken Dunn offers "refreshing insight into human complexities" (Festival of Friends, Hamilton) with a style characterized as "the folk tradition, with integrity and sincerity" (Chart, Toronto). Whether mining the depths of human emotion, or pleading the case for social and environmental justice, Ken's songs are "filled with the human spirit" (CFMU Radio, Hamilton).
Combining an adept finger style acoustic guitar technique with "strong, distinctive vocals" (R2, Dublin), and "brilliant songwriting" (Hemifran, Sweden), Ken delivers his positive message directly to the soul of the listener "with a style compared to that of Neil Young" (Roots Time, Germany). Known for his engaging stage presence, sense of humour, and delightful story telling, Ken performs either solo, with partner Anna Green, or his "mighty Gypsy Starfish band" (FATEA Magazine, UK).
Ken often performs with his wife Anna Green, whose beautiful harmony vocals, acoustic guitar, and keyboard work provide added musical dimension and emotional depth to further engage audiences. In addition, his sound takes on a distinctive folk and country rock vibe when performing with Gypsy Starfish band members Tyler Beckett on fiddle, Randy Martin on bass, and Mark Mariash on drums.
A veteran Canadian folk singer-songwriter, now in his mid-60's, Ken has performed at hundreds of venues over the past 30 years, across Canada, the U.S., and Central America from concert halls to festivals and cafes, sharing the bill with folk and roots icons as diverse as Jerry Jeff Walker, Willie P. Bennett, Valdy, Mike Beck, Roy Schneider, Pi Jacobs, and Garnet Rogers.
Ken's passion for social and environmental justice is evident in the many benefit concerts he performs, supporting charities as diverse as the Harry Chapin Food Bank, Amnesty International, and PlayingForChange.
Ken previously released 6 albums featuring some of Canada's finest studio musicians, including Dennis Pendrith (Tom Paxton), Dean Drouillard (Jill Barber), Mark Mariash (Buffy Sainte Marie), Randall Hill, and Roly Platt. Ken's previous recordings have received critical acclaim, extensive airplay, and placement in film scores. His last album, "The Great Unknown" (2015), recorded with Gypsy Starfish won Best Americana Album for February 2016 at the Akademia Music Awards in Los Angeles, and was welcomed by numerous positive reviews, and airplay on folk and roots radio around the world. He lives and performs mainly in British Columbia, but also tours far and wide, when the road inevitably calls.
"Folk Americana music that's both unconventional and classic at the same time" Akademia Music Awards, Los Angeles
"When I first came across Ken Dunn’s music, I realized immediately it was something rather special. Great songs, thoughtfully delivered!"
Folk Roots Radio with Jan Hall, Canada
"Ken Dunn must have that song catcher soul to have such tradition in his musical mind… with forays into the stylings of folk-legends like Tom Rush and Tom Paxton… a stew of wonderful notes, stirred perfectly, sneaks into your feet, heart, and soul”
For more information please visit Ken Dunn's WEBSITE HERE