Remembrance - Melodies From a Forgotten Era 　　 　　"John Doan "Remembrance": Subtitled "Melodies from a Forgotten Era," John Doan weaves the songs of yesteryear into new tapestries of music which evoke the America of a hundred years ago,. Using melodies both familiar and unfamiliar as a starting point, he creates something fresh, yet reminiscent of a simpler time; his sources range from American folk tunes to classical works and parlor music of our great-grandparent's day, intertwined with his own compositions. This mix leads to some surprising and wonderful combinations: You'll recognize 'Clementine" as she walks down "The Street of Laredo"; both these two well-loved folk songs and 'Buffalo Gals" are the heart of "Gold in the Ground,' the nostalgic opening track. Other standouts include 'Remembering Greensleeves,' Doan's own rendition of this olde English tune; 'Pioneer Rose,' a tribute to the women who brought rose bushes in their covered wagons to plant in their new homesteads; & the lovely 'Wind in the Willows,' inspired by both Brahms and a mediation under a large willow tree. The liner notes are extensive and beautifully written, describing the sources and stories behind each of the pieces, and make a perfect companion to this haunting , heartfelt release. Doan's "Remembrance" is like a treasure chest of antique lace." 　　 　　- Heartsbeats (May 25, 2006) 　　 　　"Remembrance is a gorgeous album that Doan slipped out on his own label. He plays a lot of traditional tunes and standards, but rearranges them in a style similar to his Christmas album Wrapped In White. Melodies like "Greensleeves" and "Brahm's Lullaby" are extended out across his harp guitar and collections of antique instruments. Subtitled "Melodies from a Forgotten Era" Doan makes them come alive in arrangements that are both quaint and contemporary." 　　 　　- Echodisc (May 25, 2006) 　　 　　"The graceful sounds of the harp guitar evoke a simpler age, an age with the harshness edited out...A gentle disc for gentle souls." 　　 　　David Stabler - The Oregonian (May 25, 2006) 　　 　　"Remembrance is a warm, nostalgic album that serenades the listener with music inspired by a bygone era, beautifully given voice by the chiming tones of John Doan's harp guitar." 　　 　　- Real to Reel News (May 25, 2006) 　　 　　"Hearing this music, it's almost as if I can see only in sepia tones, memories enhanced by love and perserved by faith." 　　 　　- Napra Trade Journal (May 25, 2006) 　　 　　 　　 　　Biography 　　 　　John Doan, one of the few masters of the rare twenty-string harp guitar, has performed with a diverse range of artists including pop star Donovan, folk legend Burl Ives, jazz ace Larry Carlton, as a member of the New Christy Minstrels with Randy Sparks, among others and his virtuoso playing and arranging has attracted praise from no less a guitar luminary than Chet Atkins. He recently contributed a chapter to "Between the Strings - the Secret Lives of Guitars" a veritable compendium of the world's greatest guitarists with introduction by B.B. King. He has appeared in numerous publications including the Washington Post and Billboard Magazine as well as staring in two much-loved television specials produced by Oregon Public Broadcasting: "A Christmas to Remember With John Doan" (seen on PBS) and his Emmy nominated "A Victorian Christmas With John Doan." His latest recordings on Hearts O' Space Records have been nominated for "Best Celtic Album of the Year" with Eire - Isle of the Saints winning that title. His music has also been featured on numerous prime-time television and movie productions including Walt Disney, among others. His lastest video project is a 90 minute documentary that he wrote and starred in titled "In Search of the Harp Guitar." John recently hosted an International Harp Guitar Festival at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon where he is an Associate Professor of Music. He lives near Salem with his wife Deirdra atop of an extinct volcano overlooking the Willamette Valley (he is hoping his view will not be enhanced in the coming years). 　　 　　 　　Credits: 　　 　　John Doan is a recording artist and concert performer as well as a professor of music at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. He is known as one of the world's leading harp guitarists and recently hosted the International Harp Guitar Gathering in Salem, Oregon. 　　Guitarist John Doan is a master of the Renaissance lute, as well as classical and contemporary guitar styles. His signature instrument, however, is the 20-string harp/guitar, originally popular at the end of the 19th century in Europe and America. 　　 　　Doan began playing guitar at age of 11 when he lived in Venice, California. Given the setting, his favorite music then was surf music. He later became interested in classical guitar and earned a degree in music performance from Cal State Northridge. After moving to Oregon, Doan earned his master's in musical education from Western Oregon State and served on the faculty there. He studied the renaissance and baroque lute in the Netherlands, and mastering this instrument prepared him for learning the harp/guitar. 　　 　　The Harp Guitar Doan plays has six standard fretted guitar strings, six unfretted bass strings, and eight unfretted high strings with pure tones and long sustains. 　　 　　Recommnedations: 　　 　　The interesting thing about the harp-guitar and especially the way that John has mastered it, is that the music issuing forth seems like magic, magic put back in the hands of the magician. No special effects or illusion, real hands on real magic. Where all of this music is coming from seems like a mystical experience. 　　 　　He's an outstanding composer and arranger as well. His take on any tune is always a remarkable vision. 　　 　　Mason Williams: Composer of Classical Gas 　　 　　 　　 　　John Doan is one of my best discoveries. When I became aware of his talent, I asked my dearest friend Burl Ives for permission to include John in our Mt. Vernon, WA concert (Burl's last such program, as it turned out), and that began a lasting friendship between the two of them. John is an undiscovered treasure.... I honestly believe we need more quality class-acts in our business of show, and John is exactly that. 　　 　　Randy Sparks, Founder, The New Christy Minstrels 　　 　　Reviews of Remembrance: 　　 　　Remember colorful traditions, old dusty instruments, and simple yet inspired melodies that have been forgotten with the passage of time? Remembrance was inspired by John Doan's own musical traditions in folk tunes of the American West, the elegance and introspection of classical music, and the charm of parlor songs. Doan performs on harp, guitar, classical banjo, banjuerine, and harp mandolin, with guest performers Billy Oskay on harmonium, violin, and keyboards and Michael Harrison on piano. Take a time out to remember some melodies from a forgotten era. ~ MusD, All Music Guide