'ROUND THE CORNER - REVIEWS:

UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL: "If you've never heard the harp swing, you've got a treat in store. In the musical hands of Deborah Henson-Conant, the instrument becomes a true jazz vehicle, capable of wonderful improvisations and musical colorings...Bassist John Lockwood and drummer Bob Gullotti are a vital part of this trio session, giving the harpist a swinging, sometimes subtle rhythmic support, as on "Blue Bossa" and "Swingin' Shepherd Blues"...The dominant track is "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." This splendid arrangement of the Harold Arlen classic, stretching nearly nine minutes, begins as a wonderful Wizard of Oz medley before waltzing its way into the wistful chestnut. The trio closes things out with a reworking of George Gershwin's "Summertime," a haunting beauty on which Gullotti switches to the log drum."

BOSTON GLOBE: "...an ideal tableau for the harp's swing capabilities in her gifted hands. "Blue Bossa" sways so gentle while "Swingin' Shepherd Blues," originally popularized by a flute solo, is treated to Henson-Conant's chiming chords and broad solo forays. "Over the Rainbow," actually a masterfully interpreted medley from "The Wizard of Oz" is the album's choice track, climaxed by the trio's waltz approach to the wistful ballad, "Over the Rainbow." Henson-Conant smartly salutes George Gershwin with a zesty, refurbished approach to "Summertime.""

DEBORAH'S REVIEW: This was the last recording I made before I landed on Charlie's Rose's TV show and was signed with GRP records. It was the last time I played as a bandleader in a standard jazz format with acoustic bass and drumset -- and it was one of those wonderful recording experiences where you go into the studio with great players and play each tune live -- no overdubbing, no edits. You just play until you get a take you love, with all the energy of a live performance.

John Lockwood and Bob Gullotti are impeccable musical collaborators who've played together for so long that it's like they have one creative impulse. Getting to work with players like that has been one of the great joys of my career, so of course I'm thrilled to be playing with John again this coming weekend - but this recording captures a moment, and a style, that was absolutely essential in my growth as a musician, and a sense of joy and freedom I'll never forget I still love listening to this CD, and love how people get this strange look on their faces when they hear it and say ... "That's a ... a ... HARP??"