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Comfortable
Blues — The title of Verlene Schermer's
first recording of her versatile originals is drawn from a strong cut called
"The Ostrich," a social lament on apathy. The songs shift
stylistic gears from up-tempo rock flavored numbers to smoky jazz-infused
ballads with a touch of the blues. She accompanies her voice on acoustic
guitars and piano, and in addition, folk harp, violin, and synthesizer.
Top-notch musicians on bass, drums, electric guitar, flute, horns, and keyboards
join Verlene. The album's most powerful moments belong to the mood
numbers, such as "What's Making You Blue," and "Now I Know."
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Dreamtime —
Verlene Schermer's second release features thirteen
more of her original songs. Each reflects her eclectic musical taste and
provides a vehicle for her versatile singing voice. The folk harp is the
primary accompanying instrument, with the addition of various instruments such
as oboe, violin, cello, bowed psaltery, flute, and soprano sax.
Verlene plays the harp in a style that is unique and innovative, giving a new
meaning to the term "blues harp." The lyrical content of the
songs range from themes of dreaming and vision to poignant observations about
modern living.
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Now & Then
— Silverwood is a duo featuring Verlene
Schermer on vocals, folk harp, & guitar, and Linnette Bommarito on
flute, alto, flute, & vocal harmonies. Silverwood's first recording of
instrumental music is called "Now & Then." The album
includes music that spans several hundred years. In addition to folk harp
and guitar, Verlene plays wire harp, cross-strung chromatic harp, violin, vielle,
and percussion on the album. In addition to flute and alto flute, Linnette
plays soprano recorder and percussion. Five of the pieces are original
compositions by Verlene and Linnette.
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On a Snowy Eve
— Silverwood and Spookytree are two duos who joined forces to create a
beautiful winter theme CD. Silverwood features Verlene
Schermer on vocals, Celtic harp and cross-strung harp, and Linnette
Bommarito on vocal harmonies, flute and alto flute. Spookytree is the duo
formerly known as Knodel & Valencia, featuring Debra Knodel on Celtic harp,
vocals, and percussion, and Jane Valencia on Celtic harps (both nylon and wire),
vocals, oboe, and English horn. Silverwood joins Spookytree on a few
tunes, on guitar, fiddle, flute, and vocals, and Spookytree joins Silverwood on
vocal harmonies.
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Persephone's
Art — Verlene Schermer's most
recent solo release includes thirteen of her original songs as well as her jazzy
arrangement of Gershwin's "Summertime." The songs on this CD tell many
stories - of winter and spring, pain and joy, dark and light. Verlene
plays a Triplett folk harp, a Blessley cross-strung chromatic harp, and a Camac
electro-harp, as well as acoustic guitar, and electric piano. Verlene is
supported by Preston Carter on electric and string bass, and Don Frank on drums,
Kelly Fasman on the bapercussion, Steve Steinberg on saxophone, and others.
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Rendezvous with
the Moon — Verlene Schermer's third
solo recording features thirteen original songs, and also includes the
well-requested cover, "You Take My Breath Away." The folk harp
is the primary accompanying instrument to Verlene's innovative and expressive
voice, with five of the tracks featuring the chromatic cross-strung harp.
Percussion instruments from many World Music traditions add a spicy texture to
the mixes, tying East to West in a blend of sounds and rhythms. You will
also hear string bass, flute, a string quartet, and vocal harmonies in this
collection of songs about creative process.
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