Paul Haslem, who resides in Fordwich, Ontario, has been playing the hammered dulcimer for over fifteen years. He first saw a dulcimer--the world's oldest form of percussive stringed instrument--in a museum. Since building his first dulcimer and learning to play it, he has become internationally known as a dulcimer performer and craftsman. Haslem, who is also a story teller, performs at concerts, festivals, markets, and craft shows. He loves to have people try out the dulcimer and ask questions about the instrument, so if you happen to be where Haslem is performing, drop by for a chat.

Haslem's first two CD's are Step Out Of Time and Dulcimer Traditions. These beautiful albums capture the special magic of hammered dulcimer--the warbly, chorus-like effect that comes from its paired strings that are not exactly the same length. Both albums wear well, though Dulcimer Traditions is the slightly more polished of the two. These could very quickly become two of the favourite albums in your collection. On Step Out of Time Haslem is accompanied by Glenn Chatten, guitar and tablas; Kate Cushing, cello; Terri Burns, vocals; and Rob Geisler, beaded percussion. Additional musicians on Dulcimer Traditions are John Bigelow, arch guitar; Mary Anderson, Celtic harp; and Ken Brown, guitar, flute, keyboards, bass, mandolin, and accordion.

Haslem's music caught the ear of the American label Sugo Music, and he has now appeared on two Sugo releases, his own Ancient Moon Rising Sun (1996) and a Christmas ensemble album An Acoustic Christmas (1997). Sugo is a New Age style label and this has influenced the way Haslem has been recorded. His hammered dulcimer has been augmented with a contemporary tapestry of moody sounds similar to Enya recordings. The effect is pleasant but not as effective as the folkier recordings, Dulcimer Traditions and Step Out of Time.

Spirit of the Land (1998) returns Haslem to a folkier sound. From the opening "St. Jacob's Ramble" to the closing "Conestogo Waltz" the album is a testament to the whimsical musicality of the hammered dulcimer. Featuring rambles, waltzes, meanders, and even the traditional fiddle tune "Mosquito on the Iceberg" Spirit carries your spirit on a delightful musical journey that blends hammered dulcimer with guitar, tabla, flute, bassoon and tabla. With the exception of the fiddle tune, all the tunes were written by Haslem. As usual, Haslem's compositions are drawn from his locale and his travels, giving his music a distinct Canadian stamp. Produced by Paul Haslem and Ken Brown, additional musicians include Ken Brown, guitar, flute, mandolin; Hari Pal, tabla; Jeff Burke, bassoon; and Mark Agnew, percussion.

Step Out of Time *
1992 Dulcimer Traditions (RDRCD 372)

Sandy's Fancy; The Ash Grove; First Snow; The Black Rogue; Bridgett O'Malley; Grace O'Malley; Miss Murphy; Lamentation for Owen Roe O'Neill; The King of the Fairies/The Children's Lament; Sheebeg and Sheemore/Lord Inchiquin; Raincoat; Over the Waterfall/In the Barrel; Planxty Irwin/Fanny Power; Sweet Adare; Sliding Off the Roof; Squire Woods' Lamentation; Jivewalk; The Misty Morning Waltz; Blind Mary (I Will Love You When You're Old) 52:27

Dulcimer Traditions *
[no date] Dulcimer Traditions (DT-002)

The Fordwich Jig; The Log Driver's Waltz; The Tailor's Dance; Blind Mary; Lady Athenry; The Londonderry Air (Danny Boy); The Wilderness Lament; Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring; The Rabbit's Real; Greensleeves; The Merry Sherwood Rangers/The Poor Old Woman; The Sally Gardens; Ave Maria; The Horse's Bransle 44:09

Ancient Moon Rising Sun
1996 Sugo (SR9673)

Between Two Worlds; Inisfail (Isle of Destiny); Dónal and the Fairy Folk; The Rock of Cashel (Veiled in Darkness); Dance of the Sídheóg; Wilderness Lament; The Elora Gorge; Fomarian Towers; St. Brendan's Voyage; The Battle of Dromcath; The Abbess of Kildaré; Morning Chimes 52:07

An Acoustic Christmas
1997 Sugo (SR9721)

Deck the Halls; Carol of the Bells; Twelve Days of Christmas; God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen; It Came upon a Midnight Clear; Greensleeves; We Three Kings; Silent Night; O Come Emmanuel; March of the Kings; O Holy Night 42:08

Spirit of the Land
1998 Dulcimer Traditions (DT-003)

St. Jacob's Ramble/The Road to Listowel; Heather's Waltz; French River Flight; The Swirling Snow; Tony's Dream/Dancing with Sunlight; Spirit of the Land; Over the Garden Wall; Walking Stick; Maitland River Hornpipe/Mosquito on the Iceberg; Conestogo Waltz 49:05