Issue 31 1/2006

FolkWorld CD Reviews

Klezmatics with Joshua Nelson & Kathryn Farmer "Brother Moses smote the water"
Label: Piranha; 1896 2004
One of the most legendary Klezmer bands is the, almost 20 years old, US band the Klezmatics. They had big success all over the globe with their professional approach of the Klezmer music. On this new cd Brother moses smote the water which was recorded live in Berlin, the group goes beyond the borders of the Klezmer music. The cd is a co-operation with gospel singer and pianist Joshua Nelson, a legendary name in music, who worked with big names such as Aretha Franklin, Billy Preston and Dizzy Gillespie. Besides Nelson Kathryn Farmer joins the group. A jazz singer, pianist who's star is rising at the moment. On this cd the musicians try to make a connection between Klezmer and gospel. Also to the jazz music, but that is a connection the Klezmatics have done before. The spirit on this cd rises high when Nelson takes the lead vocals. Songs like Elijah rock, walk in jerusalem are musical outbursts of energy that is so typical for the gospel music. How different the music is when Farmer takes the lead vocals. Her heavy voice can only be enjoyed on one song, Go down moses also a gospel kind of song, but when she sings the gospel sounds more introvert and personal. On this song she starts with accompany herself on the Hammond organ and slowly the band integrates in the music, a strong part on the cd. In between the Klezmatics also do what they are used to do, playing strong klezmer music. A nice live cd with a vivid mixture of styles.
Homepage of the artist: www.klezmatics.com
Eelco Schilder


Merlons lichter "Lust"
Label: Westpark; 87110 2005
The German group Merlons lichter surprised me in 2001 with their dark metal folk cd Die wahre Mutter Gottes. The mixture of medieval instruments with metal in a dark and atmosphere somehow really got me. Now the new cd Lust is for sale in the shops and although the sleeve still looks dark, the music moved towards a bigger audience. It took me until the end of the fourth song Wie du und ich before the music caught me. The first three songs somehow sound more like pop with some light metal and folk influences than the other way around and does not have the power I remember from their earlier work. Thank god the further the cd plays, the better they get. Welten lauf has a great intro and end and in Heisser als die Sünde the band sounds powerful and wild. Important is the big role the hurdy gurdy plays in their music. It is used as the central instrument and gives the music an own character. Together with the electric guitars, programming and drums the hurdy gurdy sounds like a modern instrument. Merlons lichter made a more open cd than their previous work. They go for a bigger audience and they had to hand in some of their previous unique sound to get there. Still a group that is interesting enough to listen and get their cd but personally I prefer Die wahre Mutter Gottes.
Homepage of the artist: www.merlons.de
Eelco Schilder


Kerberbrothers Alpenfusion "live in L.A."
Label: Private
The Kerberbrothers is formed around three brothers (what a surprise) who play music from the Alps. They work together with two other musician and their music mixes traditional sounds with jazz. Nice ethno music with some subtle Yoddeling integrated in the music. It's clear that five strong musicians are playing on this cd. Everything sound perfect and the musical arrangements are very interesting. They manage to bring this underestimated tradition to a bigger audience by mixing it with more common musical styles. It's easy to listen to and besides Alpenhorn, Citer and hackbrett also some more common instruments as saxophone, flutes, accordion and clarinet. It sometimes sounds like a small big band, but much softer and gentle. Interesting combination and a more than average cd with good ethno-jazz.
Homepage of the artist: www.kerberbrothers.de
Eelco Schilder


Kieran McGee "Anonymous"
Label: Stanton records; 003 2004
Although only in his early twenties, this is the third cd by US singer-songwriter Kieran McGee. Influenced by singers such as Robert Johnson, Woody Guthrie and Skip James, he can be seen as a rising star in the USA folkscene. Anonymous contains 13 self penned songs with a bit poetic and symbolic lyrics against straight songs where he describes the "struggles of life". The musicians he works with are not just the ordinary anonymous musicians. One of them is the legendary Levon Helm and the album is produced by Steve Rosenthal (Lou Reed, Alan Lomax) All thirteen songs are of hight quality, nice vocals by McGee who also plays the guitar. Both in sober songs like Quiet as well as in the more rock orientated songs he convinces me of his status as a talented singer-songwriter. A very nice cd which, I'm sure, will be liked by many.
Homepage of the artist: www.kieranmcgee.com
Eelco Schilder


Asa Broomhall "Outside"
Label: Private 2003
Outside is the debut cd of Asa Broomhall, an Australian singer-songwriter. The cd contains his songs written between 1995 and 2002 and give an excellent view in his first years as a musician. Besides a great vocalist Broomhall turns out to be a good guitar player. He reminds me on occasion of Richard Thompson on his lp's he recorded in the early eighties. Strong, catchy songs with emotion. Not just ordinary love songs like thirteen in a dozen. Well arranged, mostly nice lyrics although sometimes a bit obvious. A very talented musician with a more than promising debut cd. If Broomhall keeps this quality and grows more and more his own style and sound he can be one of the best kept secrets of the Australian Singer-songwriter world.
Homepage of the artist: www.asabroomhall.com
Eelco Schilder


Duivelspack "Die spielleut zu theotmalli"
Label: Private 2003
Three German musicians bringing Medieval images alive. On ancient instruments such as hurdy gurdy, flutes, gemshorn eo, Duivelspack doesn't play music but tries to create a vivid atmosphere with a medieval touch. Free man who look at beautiful women, their wife in the kitchen with two children at her skirt, trying to smash her husbands brains out. Probably because he enjoys life to much and she always has to be there for the children and taking care of him. That's what the pictures in the booklet reflects; the temptations of life. The devil talks to us in person at the start of the cd and what follows are nice tunes and songs, played with fun. This is a group that goes for the visual effects at concerts and I think it works at it's best live on stage when the whole concept is shown in front of our eyes. To only have their cd to listen to is a bit to less. The music is quite standard, not really renewing in any way. Fun for people who saw them live as a memory but in the may cd's in this style, it is of nice quality but not a remarkable one.
Homepage of the artist: www.duivelspack.de
Eelco Schilder


Roger Matura "Time traveller"
Label: Ozella; 008 2005
The German composer/musician Roger Matura issued his first recording on the famous Folkways label. Originally he plays folk and blues or is known as a poet. On Time traveller he goes beyond the frontiers of these styles and create a new sound collage, as description in the cd booklet tells me. What you really get is a 100% instrumental cd (except for the two bonustracks) with moody tunes. Good that there is a small break after each song, otherwise it would be heard to tell the difference between one song and the other. A bit jazz, a bit folk, a bit worldmusic and a bit new-age sounds. A bit rock to give some spirit to a few parts, a bit of everything. I'm absolutely not a fan of this kind of "created" music. It moves to the background when I listen to it and doesn't touch me even a bit. Much and much better is the bonustrack Will you still love me tomorrow where Matura sings and is playing the harmonium the same time. What a classic song this is, emotional, sad and a bit dark. His rasping voice works for me much better than his "sound collages".
Eelco Schilder


The pickpocket ensemble "Finger-painting in red wine"
Label: Odd shaped case records; 1008-2 2004
The pickpocket ensemble from San Fransisco was formed in 1998 and they are inspired by European folk and cafe music. Six musician with violin and accordion as lead instruments backed by guitar, bass and percussion. Besides the US they have also toured the Netherlands and even visited my home town Nijmegen. The tunes played on this cd' are composed by the accordionist Rick Corrigan who also composes for experimental film projects. All tunes are original but many traditional European influences can be heard in the music. Sometimes a nice French bal Musette but mostly I hear influences from the Balkan countries. Some Jewish influences, Arabic like percussion's, they picked the best from every corner of Europe. Besides the more or less traditional influences some jazz and swing sounds can be heard. Both Corrigan on accordion and Ostrovski on violin are highly skilled musicians. They play the music with emotion and really catch the right tone to bring the music alive. Although more on the background I have to mention the other musicians as well because the form the fundament for the soloists to create a great sound. A very strong and well thought fundament. Finger-painting in red wine is a fresh, open minded cd with well played music. A real pleasure to hear.
Homepage of the artist: www.pickpocketensemble.com
Eelco Schilder


Mazzeltov "Mishpoge"
Label: Frea; 4048 2004
It isn't very hard to guess what style of music the Dutch band Mazzeltov brings. Founded in 1994, already more than ten years the group sings and plays klezmer and Yiddish music. The group has singer Rolinha Kross as central figure and what a great singer she is. Her vocals bring joy and feelings straight from the music into the livingroom. Somehow I find her vocals different than I usually know from klezmer and Yiddish music. Kross sounds more like an old-fashioned blues singer, and it fits the music perfectly. Besides the earlier mentioned music the band also brings a Yiddish translation of the Brel song Amsterdam in a completely own interpretation. As a fan of Brel it's always difficult to write about Brel interpreters, but I think the band managed to create an own sound and is not just a copy of the Brel song. I also have to be honest, it's not my style. The staccato arrangements in this song are not my style and it's one of the few songs I find the vocals not fitting to the music. Very nice is the Greek song Yedi kule also recorded by the famous Greek singer Savina Yannatou. Sober, straight to the heart, very nice interpretation of this song. Another surprise is Lume lume which I know from Fanfare Ciocarlia. Mazzeltov make it sound like a sad song, a song without hope telling about the how hard life can be. Mishpoge is a nice cd with a wide variety of music. Trolinha Kross is a nice singer who carries this cd for the biggest part. The band it self is OK, but sounds like most Yiddish/Klezmer groups. They do not have a specific own sound. Nice cd to celebrate the tenth birthday of the group with.
Homepage of the artist: www.mazzeltov.nl
Eelco Schilder


Raya O coal "Hoam"
Label: Gillard 0403-2 2004
The Austrian singer/accordionist Raya o'Coal recorded with hoam a strange cd. She brings her self penned songs and tunes with a group of excellent musicians. The opening track So anzuafall is fantastic. A surprising piece of alternative folk with stunning vocals and music. This is exactly how modern folk should sound. A good touch of underground music, dark and overwhelming. The rest of the cd is so different. The next song Zit zum go is more a sweet, middle of the road ballad and it takes until the fifth song Spiegl before the music gets my attention back. But than it stays there for the rest of the cd. A great accordionist mixing jazz, music from the Alps with folk, a small slight of tango and so many other styles. In the final song Home she shows that she can also convince in the English language in a song that reminds me of a warm night-club somewhere in London during the roaring twenties. A great piece of music this hoam although a few songs are a bit weaker than the rest, this cd has so much music quality to offer that it's very easy to forget about that.
Homepage of the artist: www.rayaocoal.com
Eelco Schilder


Tres chicas "Sweetwater"
Label: Yeproc; 2056 2004
Tres chicas is a trio of three lady singers from the US, founded in 1999. So nothing Latino here as the name might suggest. The groups excists out of three musicians who all had been in other groups before. Besides singing they also play guitar and violin, but it are the vocals that count on this cd. Singing original material and songs by artists such as Lucinda Williams and Loretta Lynn, this is Americana pur sang. They switch from harmony singing to lead singing by one of them, and all sound fine. The music is mostly of an acoustic nature although drums and electric guitars give subtle support to several songs. The songs have a good touch of traditional music without being old fashioned. Ten nice songs, smooth music what more do I want? A very pleasant cd indeed!
Eelco Schilder


Helmut Eisel & Jem "Midnight dreamer"
Label: Westpark; 87108; 2005
The clarinettist Helmut Eisel has recorded many cd's both as a solo musician and with Jem. Jem stands for two other musicians, Michael Marx on guitar and Stefan Engelmann on contrabass. On Midnight dreamer they play klezmer music and try to bring the klezmer into a modern world. Classical theme's from Haydn and mozart are mixed with Klezmer classics and own compositions. Eisel is a virtuosi on his instrument and know to capture my full attention. The way they interpret the music is different than the most bands play Klezmer. Usually a style that is played with fire, ready to dance on but Eisle & Jem turn the music into introvert intimate music. Nice, but I have to get used to this interpretation. The good thing is that because of the peace and acoustic setting, the melodies get a whole new life. Because of the rest the musicians bring in the music it's easier to follow the melodies. Midnight dreamer is a nice and pleasant cd with harmonious music.
Homepage of the artist: www.helmut-eisel.de
Eelco Schilder


The Soweto gospel choir "Voices from heaven"
Label: Shanachie; 66036; 2005
South-African gospel music has not only a religious meaning but also a good connection with the traditional music. Sixteen choir songs with strong rhythms, harmony vocals and spiritual songs. Not for the taste of all man, but even for a layman like me it's clear that this is pure and honest music with a deep soul and meaning.
Homepage of the artist: www.sowetogospelchoir.com
Eelco Schilder


Willy Schwarz "Jewish music around the world"
Label: Private cd 2003
Schwarz was born out of Italian and German Jewish refugees and lives in Michigan USA. During the past he has worked with Theodore Bikel, Ravi Shankar and Tom Waits and now solo with a journey past the music of the Jews around the globe. Except for the contrabass Schwarz plays all the instruments, including accordion, saz, balalaika and many others, himself. He shows with this cd that the Jewish people have tradition in countries from Uzbekistan, Ethiopia, Bosnia to the USA, Germany and Italy. The different songs not only have a Jewish sound, the fun is that also other traditional elements of the several countries can be found back in the fourteen songs. Although the vocals are nice, it's not my favourite vocal style. It can be heard that he is not a full-time professional vocalist. It's always nice but never totally convincing. The same a bit with the instrumental parts, I would prefer a musician who can surprise me with his skills on his own instrument. Schwarz plays 27 instruments on this cd and always nice but never really virtuoso. A nice collection of songs, not often such a wide variety of the Jewish culture has been recorded on one cd, but I prefer a more quality above quantity.
Homepage of the artist: www.willyschwarz.com
Eelco Schilder


Schwerkraft "Nachts"
Label: Vokoder records; 22902 2004
Nachts (In the night) is the debut cd of composer and musician Harald von Schwerkraft. The title already says it all, it's music that is written to listen to in the late evening and the dark nights. It has a dark, dreamy and a bit threatening atmosphere. The low vocals of Schwerkraft does remind me on occasion of these from the lead singer of Rammstein, the famous German metalgroup. The difference is the music, which is much more peaceful. A mixture of electronic sounds and guitars create a wall of dark clouds on which Schwerkraft sings his heavy, dark vocals. Is this all a dream? Is it a nightmare? I don't know, interpret it as you like. The music does catch my attention and forces me to listen but I'm still not sure if it is because of the own identity of the music or because I really like it. What I know for sure is that this cd is quit remarkable and done very well. But I need some more weeks to make up my mind if this is my kind of music or not. Somehow that's a good sign if music is hard to capture the first moment, it means something happens and it's not thirteen in a dozen music, which Nachts is not, that's for sure.
Homepage of the artist: www.schwerkraft.com
Eelco Schilder


Roland Heinrich "Common verse"
Label: Private 2004
A German Singer-songwriter who sings and writes in Americana style. The opening song Goodbye my love did scare me for a moment. The song isn't a very strong composition and the vocals were a bit whining. Thank god the following up is much better. Pierrot is nice but the third song 18.52 is a real beauty. A fragile, sad song on which Roland Heinrich shows that his voice is made for this fragile, sensitive kind of music. Flower song proves that again, a more up tempo country song and immediately I find his voice annoying again. So this cd does bother me a bit, it contains some intense and beautiful music but to my opinion it are the country like songs that makes it hard to sit through the whole record because it doesn't sound natural to his voice.
Homepage of the artist: www.rolandheinrich.com
Eelco Schilder


Ian Moore "Luminaria"
Label: Yep roc records 2083 2004
Ian Moore is a singer-songwriter from Texas and Luminaria is his fifth cd but the first for this label. He plays together with musicians who have worked with him during the past seven years and it contains nice singer-songwriter music with a big touch of rock and small slights of folk and blues. Great is New day which has a happy and great rock sound and as climax nice trumpets announcing the new day to arrive. The song that follows April, has a more Americana style, probably also because of the sound of the pedal steel. I name these two songs first because I have the feeling that the cd starts at his best from here. Somehow the first two songs are OK, but it took me until the third song to get really interested. From that moment nine strong and energetic songs roll out of the cd player. Strong vocals, guitars mixed with Wurlitzer, accordion, cello and many other instruments. The cd ends beautifully with Susan a smooth, bit melancholic song with intriguing symbolic lyrics. Luminaria is more than the average singer-songwriter cd although it took me two songs to capture it's quality and charm. Now I can only recommend this strong cd which grows to me every time I hear it.
Homepage of the artist: www.ianmoore.com
Eelco Schilder


Call and response "Winds take no shape"
Label: Badman records; 957 2004
From California comes Call and response, a band founded in 1998 when Simone Rubi (keyboards and vocals) and the guitarist Daniel Judd start a musical project. They both love obscure popmusic and soundtracks and started to write together. Together with a few guest musicians they issued this debut cd Winds take no shape. It's clear that the band tries to make alternative underground popmusic but somehow it's a bit to much on the surface. Nice vocals, nice sounds, nice music but it never gets really obscure or rare. It's like they waned to make a middle of the road, obscure music....does such a thing excists? Don't get me wrong, it's all done really well, I like the vocals and it reminds me sometimes a bit of the walkabouts, a great band who really managed to create an obscure sound of folk and modern music. This Call and response is more like a pre walkabouts band , still experimenting and searching for the right way to go. Promising, but not quit there yet.
Eelco Schilder


James Talley "Touchstones", "Journey"
Label: Cimarron; 1011 in 2002, 1012 in 2004
Almost thirty years are gone since his first lp Got no bread, no milk, no money, but we sure got a lot of love was published. Now two cd's are for sale at the cimarron label, one from 2002 Touchstones and his most recent cd journey. The cd's contain own songs from his rich musical past. Touchstones is focussed on his work from the mid seventies and contains pure country and blues brought in the traditional way. Journey also has a few songs from the earlier mentioned period but focuses more on the years that follow. This cd is a live recording from 2002 in Italy and the cd's does have some same songs on them. The live cd is a bit more powerful but both cd's are comparable in style. A pure artist who brings the blues and country in a hard to find natural way.
Homepage of the artist: www.jamestalley.com
Eelco Schilder


Shad Weathersby "Chomp chomp"
Label: Singing rock records, 2004
A friendly cd , this Chomp chomp. Together with a group of musicians and some children Shad Weathersby recorded 12 selfpenned children songs. The themes handle about the calendar, friendship, sausages and many other themes. A happy, friendly atmosphere and some nice songs. Unfortunately my son is only 4 months old and Dutch so I cant try if he likes the music and songs, but I like the attempt to write modern children songs. Although I'm wondering if a bit more modern musical arrangements wouldn't capture more children's attention. Nice!
Homepage of the artist: www.shadweathersby.com
Eelco Schilder


Le Clou "Vérité"
Label: Moustache records mr 2882 2005
The German group Le clou excists almost 30 years and has published several lp's and cd's containing Cajun inspired music. I personally liked their first lp's but lost the group a bit on later work which sounded a bit without inspiration and boring. So for me a new acquaintance with the group and I'm not disappointed. Le Clou still has this good Cajun feeling but integrates blues and folk more than in the early days in their music. It's easy to hear that the group has many years of experience and know what their are doing. Somehow I find the vocals much stronger than they used to be. It got a bit heavier and age did his job, maybe that is what gives the music a more blues feeling, the vocals sound more from an experienced person, not from a starting singer. Vérité is a nice Cajun rock lp with straight on easy to listen to music. Played by experienced musicians in a pleasant way.
Homepage of the artist: www.leclou.com
Eelco Schilder


Sarakina "Junctions"
Label: Private 2004
Sarakina is trio that operates from Poland and consist of three educated musicians of several music academies. The musicians play Accordion, Clarinet, bass, kaval, tambura and bagpipe. They have been written music to several films in the past and won prizes on some folkfestivals. They play a few traditionals but mostly original tunes which can be described as acoustic jazz music with a big role for clarinet and accordion. The music is well thought over and I personally prefer a song like on the road on which the bagpipe and male vocals play a central role. This song has just a bit more power than the more introvert jazz like tunes. A pleasant cd to listen to in a quiet hour but not music that sticks to my mind for longer than the endurance of the cd. Well done, nothing more and nothing less.
Homepage of the artist: www.sarakina.art.pl
Eelco Schilder


Dennis Schütze
Label: Private 2004
The German singer-songwriter Dennis Schütze has published his debut cd in own production. He sings and play the guitar and organ himself and got support by Cristoph Reiss on drums, bass and guitar and Ali Lionnet on steel guitar and vocals. Schütze has studied in the USA and his music reflects a lot of that period. It has clear country influences with just some drips of blues. Schültze has a fine voice and his guitar work is OK although he uses his guitar mostly to support his vocals, not as a solo instrument. His song writing is standard, no surprising themes or original lines, just the straight often heard stuff. This is such a cd that is hard to find any comments on. Everything is done very well, but Schültze played on safe and didn't take any risk at all. That makes his cd middle of the road singer-songwriter and not of the kind that I will remember in 2010.
Homepage of the artist: www.dennisschuetze.de
Eelco Schilder


John Train "The sugar ditch"
Label: Record cellar; rcp 074 2004
The Sugar ditch is John's third cd and a concept album that is inspired by a trip to Memphis. The story is centred around a girl who turned up dead in a small town in the Mississippi delta. I love the start of the cd, simply called Theme. It gives a mystic atmosphere compared to the opening tune of the twin peaks tv serie. I have to get used to his vocals, which at the beginning get to me as a bit boring and without expression. But the more I hear, the more I appreciate his dry way of singing. No deep emotions, it's like a story teller who tells about an event he saw himself but still cant believe it really happened. Absolutely great are the musical arrangements. Great band, and a strong mixture of country, rock and folk. Sometimes laid-back like in The sugar ditch. But sometimes rough and reckless like in Shame on you and Randy come home. This Sugar ditch is a cd I had to learn to appreciate. I gave it some time and wasn't disappointed, a very intense and nice cd. Personally I prefer the more rough approach of the music, some of the ballads are a bit to sweet for me, but this is only a remark of personal taste on a strong piece of music.
Eelco Schilder


Zulya "The waltz of emptiness (and other songs on Russian themes)"
Label: westpark; 87114 2005
The from origin Russian singer Zulya has been settled in Australia since 1991. She has been sharing her own traditional Tartar music with the Australian people ever since. This has resulted in winning many awards and a recent release of her forth cd. Zulya brings a nice combination of Russian tradition and jazz in self composed songs. Together with her band Children of the underground she recorded for this new cd fourteen songs. Besides the clear Russian sound and the jazz feeling, the music also reminds me of old chansons from France, like the song When love. The album gives an overall good feeling although I found it a bit on the soft side. She and her band uses nice rhythms, strong melodic lines but somehow the fire never gets through. It's a bit brave, something I also felt on her former cd Aloukie. The cd is clearly made to please a big audience and the quality of sound, vocals and music probably will please many. I personally like this cd, but prefer a more adventurous approach.
Homepage of the artist: www.zulya.com
Eelco Schilder


Klezmer for brass 'n' wood "Best of"
Label: Phono; pcd 13002 2004
Klezmer music played by a big orchestra, I heard it before and forgotten all about it until this cd came for review. Ten traditional tunes are arranged to fit a big orchestra. What is left are ten pieces of music that sound a like and does not touch me in any way. It's musical wallpaper, nothing happens. Now, maybe I'm to young to appreciate orchestra music, who knows. I did let my grandparents hear it and they loved it! So, into merry tunes from a big orchestra with a Klezmer touch? This is your cd. If you like passionate, fast emotional Klezmer, avoid this cd at any time.
Homepage of the artist: www.jackmusic.ch
Eelco Schilder


Pedro Luis Ferrer "Rustico"
Label: Escondido; 6501-2 2005
Pedro Luis Ferrer is a singer from Cuba who recorded with Rustico his first cd in five years. He is one of the most played artists on the Cuban radio and his music is, like the title suggested, of a peaceful and sunny nature. Mixing the various styles of Cuban music, this cd contains thirteen beautiful songs in the so famous typical Cuban sound. Besides himself also Lena Ferrer takes some of the leadvocals and she gives a nice contrast to Ferrer 's voice. There is really not a bad thing to say about this cd. It's all done very professional, good recording quality, strong songs and ditto musicians. Great cd to listen when I'm sitting in my rainy Dutch garden and dream about sun, love and all other things that make life worth living for.
Eelco Schilder


Freebidou "Baby foot party"
Label: Le chant du monde; 2741181-HM 83. 2005
Freebidou is a French group centred around accordionist Patrick Fournier. Together with Alain Buisson on guitar and banjo and Stephen Harrison on contrabass, he recorded a collection of, mostly, tunes for the famous French chant du monde label. Helped by several guestmusicians Baby foot party turned out to be such a cd that brings the listener in a good mood. Small tunes brought in a very straight way without pretending to be more than it is. Music with a positive vibration, a mixture of old banjo folk, Gypsy swing, and even jazz-blues like in the beautiful song Éclaircie 1. The cd listens like the soundtrack of an old, romantic film. Absolutely not a French film noir, but such a feel good movie from the fifties when life seemed to be easy and peaceful.
Homepage of the artist: www.freebidou.com
Eelco Schilder


Carol Grimes "Mother"
Label: Irregular records; CG59 2003
Carol Grimes, from origin blues singer, has recently issued her latest cd Mother. The cd contains twelve songs from composers like Sandy Denny, Nick Cave, Tom Waits and many others. Together with a fine group musicians Grimes turned Mother into an essential cd with elements of folk, Jazz and blues. It amazes me how she uses her great, bit raw voice to express all the corners of emotion into her music. In Two grey rooms and Scars she sounds fragile while in songs like USA from Shane MacGowen she sounds rough and untouchable. She gives a beautiful, pure blues interpretation of the Tom Waits song New coat of paint and her two self written songs Moira and blues for louis can easily measure with the songs written by the more legendary names mentioned before. A fantastic cd, pure, honest and beautiful.
Eelco Schilder


Ruth Yaakov ensemble "Sephardic women's songs of the Balkans"
Label: oriente musik; riencd52 2004
Ruth Yaakov was born in Israel and still lives in Jerusalem. She collects songs from the Sephardim, the Jewish people who were thrown out of Spain and Portugal at the end of the middle-ages. Many of them arrived in the Balkan countries and on this cd she performs the songs from the women of this culture. Her music is a melting-pot of cultural influences. Influences from Arabic nations, South-Europe come together with Bulgarian vocal style. The music has a light overall sadness. Ruth Yaakov is a very good vocalist with a strong, pure voice. With a small ensemble only, she keeps the music small and authentic. This is a beautiful, honest piece of historical music brought by professional musicians with heart for the music they make.
Eelco Schilder

 


More English CD Reviews: Page 1 - Page 2 - Page 3 - Page 4 - Page 5 - Page 6 - Page 7 - Page 8 - Page 9 - CD Special
More German CD Reviews: Page 1 - Page 2 - Page 3
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