Monika Herzig

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Available on CD, recorded 2002, ACME 003MA-9941-2

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Melody With Harmony Songlist

Arrangements by Monika Herzig. Produced by Monika Herzig with production help by Steve Davis. Recorded and mixed at Steve Davis' studio, August 2002.

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Reviews

I will admit up front that jazz musicians intimidate me! I have played different instruments through the years, but I’ve primarily played bass guitar. There are some incredible jazz bassists out there, and I may be able to imitate them, but I haven’t been very successful at duplicating their work! Jazz musicians are very accomplished people; in my estimation, they comprise the membership of the MENSA chapter for musicians! Perhaps I am blowing things a bit out of proportion; however, these feelings do color the way that I review a jazz album! How can I be critical of musical geniuses? How can my words lend anything to the success of their project?

With my feelings all out in the open, I progress, though hesitantly. Melody with Harmony is a collection of jazz recordings (mostly original) recorded by Monika Herzig, along with a very accomplished group of musicians from the Bloomington, IN area. A lot of great music comes out of Bloomington, and this is nothing new where that is concerned. The music on this release is not experimental in any way, nor is it eclectic or, for lack of a better word, “strange”. Monika’s compositions seem to follow the traditional route of jazz forbears. In fact, we perhaps see her influences in the songs she chooses to remake (“The Song is You”, Kern/Hammerstein, and “Yardbird Suite”, Charlie Parker, in particular). Her own compositions shine as well, and they accomplish what every good song accomplishes: they communicate the feeling that she had when the song was composed. For example, “Melody’s Adventures” is a song dedicated to her daughter; as you listen, you have the feel of a small child frolicking in an open field! She dedicates “Evening Mood” to one of her friends who possesses a happy party spirit; this feeling also comes out in the song. In fact, each song seems to communicate a particular feel, and the voices of the instruments more than make up for the absence of vocals! As you listen with heightened awareness for the feel of each song (made possible by the great liner notes that Monika includes with the CD), you find that you understand, in part, the place that the composer was in when she wrote the songs. Honestly, it makes the experience a richer, more fulfilling experience. I would recommend that you read the comments included as you listen!

Monika is also very transparent about her feelings as a mother (evident because of the liner notes, the cover art on the CD and the songs themselves) and about the way that having children affects her as an artist. I think that it is very refreshing to see a person who is very happy as a mother, and as a person who doesn’t see family getting in the way of accomplish great things as a musician. In fact, she feels that this is her best work to date! Her love of family is apparent, as she includes her daughter as a guest vocalist on the track “Melody’s Adventures”, and on several hidden songs at the end of the CD! Look out world! Monika is shaping the next generation of jazz musicians! If this recording is any indication, we are in for quite an experience in a few years!

Be sure to include the work of Monika Herzig in your jazz collection! Your life will be richer because of it!

--Mark Lush, Midwestbands.com, 6/19/03 *Listen to The Monika Herzig Acoustic Project on MWB RADIO!