Dhani Harrison awakens new sounds and spirituality with help from Tuvan throat singers

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As a seasoned music journalist who has had the privilege of interviewing numerous musicians over the years, I must admit that my conversation with Dhani Harrison left me utterly captivated and in awe. His passion for music, particularly his latest project with Tuvan throat singers, was so vividly described that I felt as if I was right there in the recording studio with him.

Dhani Harrison’s resemblance to his father goes beyond just his singing voice or songwriting style. His passion for spiritual healing, connection with nature, and working with master musicians from diverse cultural backgrounds mirrors his father’s essence.

It’s clear that Harrison, whose father was named George Harrison, has genuinely inherited his traits. Spending countless years creating music with his dad, being surrounded by meditation and Indian classical music, and growing up under a record label dedicated to “world music” have all contributed to a fruit that hasn’t strayed too far from its source. This source being a tree with extensive roots in diverse music genres and branches reaching beyond the familiar landscape.

I had the pleasure of listening to Harrison’s newest creation, titled “Dreamers in the Field.” In this captivating project, he collaborated with the renowned Tuvan throat singing ensemble Huun-Huur-Tu. Their harmonious voices weave a musical tapestry that is both enchanting and unique.

“Dhani Harrison, 45, expressed during a Zoom interview from his English residence that his father made significant contributions to the world of music. As a solo artist and band member, Dhani has released numerous albums. However, joining Dark Horse Records for this project felt fitting as it is where this world music originated.”

Harrison is open to various musical genres; it takes a well-versed music listener to be introduced to Huun-Huur-Tu by an automated system. Yet, this occurred not long after Harrison completed his tour in 2019. Encountering their performance unexpectedly, he grew immediately intrigued and searched for more online, discovering multiple videos of their live concerts featuring traditional Tuvan instruments.

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He admits to having watched them perform every night with unadulterated fascination. The soothing music worked wonders for him, providing an inexplicable sense of healing. Listening to these virtuosos sing became a daily ritual, offering immense benefits to his body and soul. Their unique throat singing techniques ignited a newfound inspiration within him, compelling him to explore learning the art himself.

Harrison reached out to Carmen Rizzo, an accomplished producer known for collaborating with artists like Michael Jackson, Seal, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and Huun-Huur-Tu. He expressed his eagerness to contribute to their upcoming projects. To his surprise, Rizzo responded that she had nearly completed recordings with them for their last album, which they hadn’t utilized. These tracks were now stored on a hard drive.

Rizzo traveled from Prague to meet Harrison with some previously known traditional tunes and unfamiliar ones, among which was “Mazhalyk” featuring elegant string arrangements. Inspired by these recordings, Harrison added piano, synthesizers, drums, guitars, and backing vocals, as well as composing new tracks. Later on, Rizzo brought this material to Huun-Huur-Tu in Slovakia for them to add their vocal touches to Harrison’s compositions in a hotel room after a performance.

Harrison didn’t physically join the group during their production process. Instead, they collaborated through FaceTime calls. However, he explained, “It’s a wandering kind of record. That’s the essence of their music – nomads and the Ulatay River. It’s all about travel. So it wasn’t surprising that it was completed from afar.”

Huun-Huur-Tu
(From Dhani Harrison)

The finished product resembles the music score of an unseen film, as Harrison has composed for multiple movies. The rhythms and beats of today blend seamlessly with the raw, ethereal Tuvan vocals. These sounds carry a deeply human yet otherworldly quality.

In the world of ancient music, I discover an enchanting genre that predates language itself. The performers don’t sing words as we know them, instead they mimic the raw essence of nature. You’ll hear a melody reminiscent of a bird’s sweet trill, the galloping rhythm of a horse’s hooves, or the soothing flow of a babbling brook. Even the whispering wind in the mountains finds its voice through this captivating art form. This music transports you to a primal connection with nature, where every note resonates with the power and beauty of the natural world.

Harrison discovered numerous intriguing facts about the human body. For instance, we possess sympathetic vocal cords, and our head and chest cavities harbor secret capabilities. Moreover, an intriguing phenomenon called the constructive frequency enhances these whistle-like sounds, enabling us to sing three distinct notes simultaneously within a single body.

When I play this music for my friends, they’re thoroughly captivated, I assure you. But then, something deeply emotional takes hold of them. They might shed a tear or burst into laughter – it’s an uncontainable response. The music reaches deep within me, shaking up the emotions that have been gathering dust in the corners of my heart. It sweeps them towards the surface, leaving us all feeling cleansed and rejuvenated.

Harrison has been accumulating much over the past few weeks since his return to England from a long stay in Los Angeles. Lightheartedly, he described this transition as “reacclimating” or “reconnecting” with nature in the English countryside.

In early 2020, just after speaking with Rizzo for the first time, he had intended to travel to Japan and then spend a month in Australia. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, these plans drastically changed. Instead of 10 days, he ended up staying for four long months.

“He described it as a paradise. Despite being confined there, his location was nothing short of idyllic, not in Melbourne’s bustling city but rather nestled in the serene countryside. Considering the circumstances, he considered himself quite fortunate.”

Last October, he released his latest solo album, “Innerstanding,” which consisted of a series of original instrumental tracks that he had written during that period. Upon returning to England that summer, he was met with one lockdown after another.

Harrison transformed his feelings of being kept from moving freely into creating a robust and unyielding piece of work. The composition is challenging, and it remains firm in expressing its convictions.

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The lyrics he recently added, though cryptic, imply a growing frustration with governments imposing new ideologies, resulting in a divide among society and fueling discord.

Following the success of Harrison’s debut solo album, “In///Parallel” released in 2017, this latest record is filled with electronic rhythms and raw electric guitar notes. Many of these elements were skillfully played by Graham Coxon from Blur. The music is further enhanced with grandiose arrangements and hints of Indian musical structure, creating a hypnotic effect beneath Harrison’s youthful vocals and soaring falsetto.

Based on the given quote, I can only infer that the speaker is describing his latest album as a reflection of the drastic changes the world underwent, and how it significantly impacted him. He emphasizes that the composition process spanned from before to after these transformative times. His words suggest a profound shift in perspective, likely influenced by personal growth or significant life events. The message he conveys through his music is one of self-discovery and love for oneself and those close to us – “My light, my love in everything.” This resonates with me as I too have experienced the power of music in expressing emotions and coping with change. It’s a beautiful reminder that despite the challenges life may present, focusing on our inner light and love can help guide us through even the darkest times.

About four weeks ago, I had the privilege of making an appearance at the Royal Albert Hall during Eric Clapton’s performance – my first time gracing that stage since November 2002. This special occasion was in honor of “Concert for George,” a touching memorial tribute to my late father who passed away the previous year. As I stood there, I joined forces with Clapton to perform one of George Harrison’s timeless classics, “Give Me Love.” It was an incredibly emotional experience for me to be back on that stage once more.

Dhani Harrison is currently working on a new world music album with Rizzo, featuring the Bulgarian Women’s Choir of Sophia. He’s excited about performing “Innerstanding” live and is finalizing the mix for a live concert film in Dolby Atmos. In his studio, Harrison blends modern technology with ancient culture, exploring themes of healing and aggression.

I find myself echoing his words, which resonate deeply with my upbringing: “We need to show our love towards one another in an assertive manner. Let’s intentionally strive for unity.”

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2024-07-18 21:24