I
really liked this recording! You will also like it; in fact you
just may love it! Talk about using the accordion in a manner that
will appeal to all who like inspired music making, whether in
the so-called classical genre or the equally so-called popular/commercial
idiom
well, this group does make inspired music together.
Much of it sounds improvisational but not without intense planning
pre-performance. The reason I say improvisational
is that the music has an edge to it that is so exciting!
The individual players are not known to me; I assume from the
CD liner that they are all young men
who knows, maybe they
met in the Sibelius Academy where several of the recordings were
made. They sound young, inventive, and yet, they have a sentimental,
somewhat dreamy quality in their playing if the music calls for
it. The recording also captures the true qualities of the instruments
used on the CD and the balance is exceptionally well done, too.
Every player is extremely fine, no matter what it is they are
contributing to the music at hand. This CD should appeal to musicians
of every kind, not just accordionists. That is also part of the
beauty of it! Every note is played with excellence and pure exhilaration.
The pieces are varied, as are the interesting rhythms created
in all of them. It would be truly exciting to sit and watch these
musicians do their thing. I hope they can get out of their familiar
surroundings and travel to some far and distant venues to give
others the great pleasure and opportunity to experience their
music first hand. It would indeed be a treat
perhaps more
so for a younger generation or, at least, one more excited by
new possibilities for fine music experimentation, for want of
a better description.
The group truly is superb in my opinion. I have heard young and
old players trying to discover their own personal tunes (three
are composed by members in the group) and improvise on some old
ones but many times they do not convey anything of importance
to the listener. Instead, they wander and meander about; this
group does not do that. Just when youve had enough of one
style or idea presented, they change it and go on to some other
development of their musical thoughts. In addition, the combination
of instruments is so very interesting to hear; weve heard
accordion, bass, vibes and percussion before but, by adding the
different guitars, mandolin and ukulele, the music takes on a
whole new feel and quality of sound. This is a very fine group
of players, indeed, with a grasp on musical architecture to provide
interesting new vistas!
I encourage you to listen to this group. Buy their CD; maybe they
will make another one. Help them continue their zest for interesting
music, always well played and in an enjoyable musical manner.
Better still, if you can hear them in person, yell BRAVI!
Zen Master Records/Rockadillo Records 2004 / ZENCD 2090 www.rockadillo.fi
Reviewed by Joan
Cochran Sommers
(May 2005)
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