American Vistas

About the Artist
American Vistas isn’t about harmonica music. Harmonica is simply my voice. It is about people and places that have touched my life in special ways. – Marc Kunkel Every Artist has a voice and Marc’s debut album, American Vistas, is his voice surrounded by the music of his original compositions. Formerly of Woodstock, New York, Marc has played and recorded with writers and artists such as Fred Neal, Happy and Arti Traum, Pat Alger, Eric Anderson, and Buddy Miles among others. He was a member of a 50’s style rock ‘n roll band, Johnny Average and the Falcons, with great members such as Billy Monday (Frank Zappa), Shane Fontaine (the Mamas & Papas), Bruce Springsteen, and Cindy Cashdollar (Asleep At the Wheel). After many years in the New York music scene, Marc decided to move to Nashville. He has spent his time accompanying singers and writers, playing in bands, recording as a studio session player, and crafting his own music. Marc’s songs are inspired by places he’s been and people he has met, and finally his time and efforts have culminated in his debut solo album release "American Vistas." Like many successful musicians, Marc comes from a very musical and artistic family. His siblings include a sculptor, a master luthier of guitars, mandolins, and banjos, and a book author. Marc himself is a sixth generation master woodworker and carver, and has continued to hone his woodworking art. He was recently honored to place an ornament he carved on our National Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C. Among Marc’s proudest achievements is his military service during the Vietnam Era, his marriage, and the challenges of raising two sons, one of whom, Henry, was born with Down syndrome.

Product Description
Marc Kunkel’s innovative and beautifully composed debut album American Vistas features his harmonica as a solo instrument. The magnificent melodies and rich musical diversity defines American Vistas as an album certain to become a classic. Marc’s first single "In Your Eyes" will just make you want to smile.

American Vistas,Marc Kunkel,The Orchard,Int'l & World Music,International,Pop

Average customer rating: Kaleidoscope of multi-hued sound that enchants From strength to strength Excellent music from a trio of truly gifted musicians

Crossing Bridges Manufacturer: Omac ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by O'Connor | O'Connor, Mark | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music General | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Country | Styles | Music Similar Items: Double Violin Concerto Fire & Grace Appalachia Waltz / Ma, Meyer, O'Connor Thirty-Year Retrospective: Live Heroes ASIN: B00065TZ5A Release Date: 2004-11-02

Tracks:

1. Chief Sitting In The Rain/College Hornpipe
2. Blackberry Mull
3. Appalachia Waltz
4. Old Country Fairy Tale
5. F.C.'s Jig
6. Poem For Carlita
7. Limerock
8. Caprice For Three
9. Vistas
10. Olympic Reel (Medley)

Customer Reviews:

Kaleidoscope of multi-hued sound that enchants.......2005-01-07

Playing Time - 73:50 -- Recorded live at Spivey Hall at Clayton College & State University in Morrow, Georgia, "Crossing Bridges" features violinist Mark O'Connor's Appalachia Waltz Trio, which also features violist Carol Cook and cellist Natalie Haas. The CD's booklet provides this quote from O'Connor - "I always think that music should elevate the spirit, stimulate the intellect and strengthen the heart." If those criteria define his goal, then the consummate pro and his two sidekicks easily succeed. This album of largely original material offers much in the realms of vitality, reasoning and emotion.

His rise to fame has been noteworthy. I remember when O'Connor, originally from Seattle, was just a young pup in the 70s drawing a large crowd in jam sessions with mentor Benny Thomasson at the National Old-Time Fiddlers Contest in Weiser, Idaho. In fact, he could identify specific classical composers at age three. He began playing guitar at six and violin at eleven. Before he had fiddled for a year, Mark had won second place at Weiser. At age 12, he was on the Grand Ole Opry. By 14, he'd won various fiddle and guitar championships, and the Winfield, Ks. guitar contest rules were changed to require that contestants wait at least five years before they could win again. He did. Touring with Dan Crary, The David Grisman Quintet, and The Dregs followed. In 1983, he embarked on a solo career and journey that has him "crossing bridges" into many musical genres.

In 1991, Mark & The New Nashville Cats (featuring Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, and Steve Wariner) won the CMA "Vocal Event of the Year" Award. Mark O'Connor also won the CMA "Musician of the Year " Award consecutively from 1991-1996. He toured with Marty Stuart and Travis Tritt in 1993. In more recent times, he has focused primarily on classical music. He wrote his first violin concerto in 2000. His 2002 Nashville concert with Chris Thile, Bryan Sutton and Bryon House was captured on his excellent "Thirty Year Retrospective" album (OMAC Records 5). The "Bowtie" track from this album has been nominated for a Grammy in the Country Instrumental category.

Now, O'Connor, Cook and Haas unite to recreate, with expert technical proficiency, the original 1995 "Appalachia Waltz" repertoire and some fine new material in the same tradition. The original two "Appalachia Waltz" CDs and tours featured violinist O'Connor, cellist Yo-Yo Ma and bassist Edgar Meyer. Yo-Yo Ma made a solo version of the title track his signature piece perfect for an encore.

Compared to the original sound with violin, cello and bass, the new trio's sound is more airy, fluid and light. No one should question the credential of Cook and Haas. Cook was a a member of Scott Yoo's great ensemble, Metamorphosen. She's also a champion Scottish fiddler and made her debut with the Edinburgh Symphony at age 16. Haas studied at Julliard under cello legend Fred Sherry. She also loves Scottish folk music. The album's 15-minute closer "Olympic Reel" medley is textbook string pyrotechnics. Some other technically impressive tracks include "Chief Sitting in the Rain/College Hornpipe," "F.C.'s Jig" and "Limerock." All in all, the generous 74-minute album gives us a kaleidoscope of multi-hued sound that enchants us from the first measure to the last. The sheet music is available on Mark's website. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

From strength to strength.......2004-12-03

If you know Mark O'Connor's work, it's probably enough to say that this is up to his usual standard of musicianship. The other striking thing about him is his knack for finding superb collaborators, whether they be giants who inspired him (as in his CD "Heroes") or newer arrivals on the scene, like the young cellist Natalie Haas. She takes on (for instance) Appalachia Waltz, a work which Yo-Yo Ma had all but canonized, and comes through with an inspired performance. I recently heard her play with Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser, and it's clear to me that she has a brilliant future ahead of her. As for Carol Cook, this is the first performance of hers I've heard, but it won't be the last. She disproves all the bad press violists get. By the way, this CD does include Amazing Grace, contrary to what a previous reviewer wrote. But by some glitch it's just added on as part of the tenth and last track and is not acknowledged either on the list of tracks or in the notes (which are otherwise very thorough).

Excellent music from a trio of truly gifted musicians.......2004-11-12

I was fortunate enough to catch a performance of this trio in Columbus, GA this past February, and ever since that day I have waited for this CD to come out. Mark O'Connor is a violin/fiddle virtuoso, Carol Cook can coax mezmerizing sounds out of a viola, and the amazing Natalie Haas can make you hear cello in a whole different light. Only two things keep this from being a five-star recording. First, you can never capture the beauty of a live performance on a CD. Second, they should have included the chilling rendition of 'Amazing Grace' that they do in concert. (NOTE: As highlighted by a later reviewer, this track is indeed included as a 'hidden' track at the end. My comments on the piece still stand). At the show I attended that was one piece through which the audience sat transfixed. When the last notes faded, there were several moments of stunned silence, followed by a collective 'WOW' from all assembled there. Still, it's a great listen...give it a try and you won't be sorry.

Average customer rating:

American Vistas Marc Kunkel Manufacturer: The Orchard ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B0006V6TRG Release Date: 2004-12-21

Tracks:

1. In Your Eyes
2. Thunder Bay
3. Missing Michael
4. Just Remembered (What I Love About New York)
5. Sultan's Sea
6. Window Shoppin'
7. Crazy Horse
8. Natchez Trace
9. Every Now and Then
10. Belle Meade Plantation
11. Grandpa's Cornet
12. Solstice
13. Spaghetti Western
14. Only Time Will Tell

Album Description

Marc Kunkel's innovative and beautifully composed debut album American Vistas features his harmonica as a solo instrument. The magnificent melodies and rich musical diversity defines American Vistas as an album certain to become a classic. Marc's first single "In Your Eyes" will just make you want to smile.

Average customer rating:

[CD] Butch Hall "Tranquil Vistas", Native American Flute Solos Manufacturer: Independent ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B0003029BK

Product Description

1) Morning Blessings 2) Distant Signals 3) Ancient Waters 4) Great Spirit's Canvas 5) Madien's Fairy 6) Voices of the Ancients 7) Fading Fire 8) Winding Journeys 9) Medicine Canyon 10) Lost Way Of Life 11) Sweetgrass Breezes 12) Twilight Dance 13) Water's Edge 14) Wolf's Message 15) Eagle's Nest 16) Fireflies and Storytellers

Average customer rating:

VISTAS Manufacturer: PIMA Productions ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music ASIN: B000059R8I Release Date: 1996-08-20

Tracks:

1. La Muerte Del Angel - Astor Piazzolla
2. Variations On a Moldavian Hora - Ian Krouse
3. El Decameron Negro - Leo Brouwer (3 Movements)
4. Track #4
5. Track #5
6. Verano Porteno - Astor Piazzolla
7. Sonatina - Jorge Morel (3 Movements)
8. Track #8
9. Track #9
10. Aquarelle - Sergio Assad (3 Movements)
11. Track #11
12. Track #12

Album Description

An Independant Classical Guitar label based out of Massillon, Ohio. P.I.M.A. Productions believes in promoting up-and-coming young artists through sound recordings and media.

World Music:

1. Bellydance Music: The Eyes Have It
2. Best of 1973-1977
3. Best of the Swing Big Bands
4. Between the Lines [Import]
5. Cantos de Esperança
6. Chante Marina Tsvetaeva
7. Contiene Exitos
8. Cuori Agitati [Import]
9. Dominicanada 2CD Pack: Ahora Si and Refresh [Import]
10. Dreams Come True - Greatest Hits: The Souls (Jpn) [Import]

World Music

world music

World Music

Silver Sunshine

Classical Music for the Home

Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 5 [Box set]

Lincoln Memorial [Live]

Bodyshock [Import]

Deceptively True

Carmen Nebel Presents [Import]

Ben Folds Five

Brother

Cheap Thrills

Diamond Dogs [ECD] [Enhanced]

Colours [Import]

Bohemian Pimp Project [Explicit Lyrics]

Baby's First Classics, Vol. 1

Happy Time