Jill and I have wanted to do this recording for years. We have spent the last ten years balancing our musical pursuits with raising our wonderful children Dana, Risa and Graham. Jill does an astounding amount of orchestral and chamber music work while I’m out doing all my assorted guitar activities. The music on this CD is the place where we connect and share. It is very special to us. Thanks for taking the time to listen.

~ David Cullen
 

~~~

This duo of acoustic guitar and oboe can't help but to call to mind the music of Tingstad and Rumbel, although oboe player, Jill Haley, cites as a primary influence Paul McCandless of Oregon. The classically trained musicians have worked in the past with Will Ackerman and Michael Manring among others. The two instruments create a warm, intimate feel on this set of original compositions. The dialogue between the classical/jazz/folk style of David Cullen's fingerpicking and the sharp, sweet, high notes of the oboe seem to complement each other in a way that builds melodies from the contrast of the tonal and percussive nature of the guitar. The serenely airy lingering notes of the oboe round out the patterns and flesh out these instruments with a quality that is voice-like. The simplicity of the arrangements is deceptive, because although the tunes may seem straightforward, the listener is easily led into harmonies and concurrent lines of approach to the music when the two improvise from their starting points and then return. The relaxing chamber music feel of Cullen and Haley are indeed easy to enjoy.

~ DL
Nov. 2002 New Age Voice Magazine

The David Cullen

Collection

In the Pocket

Grateful Guitar

Holiday Guitar

Equilibre:

Groovemasters 6

One Night One Guitar

Indigo Blue

Tingstad & Rumbel: Homeland

Meadowlark:

Legend of the Land

Alex de Grassi

Retrospective