Chattanooga Times Free Press

STORYTELLE­RS, COVER BANDS AND PIGEONS PLAYING PING PONG

Muriel Anderson’s show: A visual and aural delight

- Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@ timesfreep­ress.com or 423-757-6354.

STAFF WRITER

Harp-guitarist Muriel Anderson says that as a small child she wanted to become an inventor. She later learned to love flamenco guitar playing and stringed instrument­s in general.

The harp-guitar combines both loves.

“There is a sense of freedom,” she says.

“There really is, in my art and in the way I travel and perform. I have friends all over the world, so there is that sense of freedom; but in my playing, I can play The Beatles followed by a Spanish flamenco or Sousa march or bluegrass.”

Recently she decided to add a visual element to her shows and started working with photo artist/cinematogr­apher Bryan Allen. He created a backdrop that plays behind her while she performs, and in the process of creating the work, the two fell in love, she says.

“He is a brilliant pastel artist, among other things,” she says.

have Anderson won the is National Fingerstyl­e the first woman to Guitar Championsh­ip. Her CD “Nightlight Daylight,” was chosen as one of the Top 10 CDs of the Decade by Guitar Player Magazine and her “Heartstrin­gs” recording accompas nied the astronauts on space shuttle Discovery.

Guitar World Magazine named her as one of its eight most amazing female acoustic players. She has per formed or recorded with Chet Atkins, Les Paul, Victor Wooten, Tommy Emmanuel and the Nashville Chamber Orchestra.

Her current show was inspired by watching a recent eclipse. She says that it is a very structured show that is timed to the visuals created by Allen.

“I like the structured approach,” she says.

“It brings the audience on a tour around the world. It is very unified, and I like seeing an entire audience with big wide smiles.”

 ?? BRYAN ALLEN PHOTO ?? Muriel Anderson
BRYAN ALLEN PHOTO Muriel Anderson

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