STRUNG OUT
Homespun Hoedown that stomps into Celtic Country.
Genre busting is a post modern reality, but this debut album by Marcus Holden's Fiddlers Festival doesn't just crash through the boundaries, it nukes them. A track by track tour shows how extensive the scope of it all is.
Fiddlers Curse is an instant classic in the country rock vein, with Kevin Bennett (of The Flood fame) delivering a gritty narrative lyric. Peel Of The Onion, a traditional Celtic tune, is lent a slightly new age air with it's keyboard programming while retaining the folky robustness. La Cumpasita, a tango, has a bewitching Argentinean texture created by Holden's lusty fiddle, accompanied by accordion, guitar, bass and drums. A similar texture is used to different effect on the ensuing two-tune medley of Celtic flavour.
El Condor Pasa is a highlight. Holden doubles on viola and recorder, while Kate Morgan adds cello and Willy Qua flute. The result is a reading of the timeless melody which exquisitely emphasises its loneliness and desolation. A rather cheeky medley combines Coleraine Jig with Jesu, Joy of Man's desiring and gets away with it, while Tiger Rag sees Holden joined by George Washingmachine for a two-fiddle workout that would get them whooping in the pub and might have you doing the same in your living room if you're not careful.
Holden is a selfless leader who clearly delights in the talents of his peers. Ray Schloeffel plays violin on his own charming Blacktown Jig, and Malachy Bourke is the lead fiddle on Holden's arrangement of the Morning Dew. If the core Celtic theme seems to be developing at this point, Holden's title track is a country hoedown with a hint of the melancholy to ease the
glibness that can beset such music. What follows could be the genre busters anthem: Cole Porter's Don't Fence Me In (with Goofy Scatting). Music for a Found harmonium is a kind of country
Ravel's Bolero, with a repeated theme growing in intensity.
Turkey Set is a bluegrass stomper (with soprano sax interjections from Willy Qua) which gives way to Old Tunes, a simple setting of the Henry Lawson Poem. So what do call it? A pedant might try for Celtic country with rock and jazz influences. But it's music - unassuming, honest and fun.
- John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald
This is the third album from a bunch of violinists brought together by Sydney-based Marcus Holden. Their previous album came out on a major label, and the co-operative's members have done all right for themselves, being brave enough to go it independently with this fine album. Having said that, I guess you would have to be partial to fiddles.
Aiding Holden are the talented Andrew Clermont, George Washingmachine and Ray Schloeffel, as well as a slew of nifty players of other instruments. Because Marcus has his own studio, he has been able to put some labour-intensive time into this intricately layered album, while retaining a sense of fun and freedom.
Kicking off with the vocal talents of Kevin Bennett on the original composition Fiddlers' Curse, this album runs from country to Celtic to jazz and contemporary classical, yet the thread of virtuoso and inventive fiddling is paramount throughout. The incorrigible Washingmachine never gets too serious -- his version of the musical chestnut Don't Fence Me In has him scat singing along in a tribute to jazz bassist Slam Stewart that is exhilarating and pure fun.
-Keith Glass
Fiddlers Festival has gathered a large following over the past few years and is highly sought after at all major festivals in Australia. This, their most recent CD is very typical of the variety and energy they put into their live performances and recordings.
The tracks on this album boast some of Australia's best fiddle players including Marcus Holden, Mark Oats, Ray Schloeffel and George Washingmachine with an endless and impressive list of accompanying instruments and musicians on vocals, guitar, piano accordion, drums, electric bass, mandolin, banjo and even didgeridoo.
If you enjoy a mix of Irish, jazz, classical, bluegrass, country, blues and Celtic music as well as some brilliant improvisations, this is definitely a CD to rush out and buy.
The CD opens with a country ballad- Fiddler's Curse (based on a true story)- and includes vocals from well-known singer-songwriter Kevin Bennett, to the accompaniment of banjo, guitar, mandolin, bass and drums as well as some brilliant violin playing from Marcus and Mark.
The are several lively reels and jigs with the musicians' fingers flying at breakneck speed and Tiger Rag is no exception. Turkey Set goes like a bullet and then gets faster without missing a note even when switching to the Sailor's Hornpipe.
Then there are the more relaxing numbers such as the Uruguayan tango tune named La Cumpasita (Fernando's Hideaway) which includes piano accordion, drum kit and soprano sax with close harmonies.
Also on the CD are the perennial favourites El Condor Pasa and Don't Fence Me In with Great scat singing from George Washingmachine. In conclusion to this wonderful selection of fiddle tunes is a recitation by Tryone Schulaiss (a pseudonym of course) of Henry Lawson's Old Tunes accompanied by Marcus on violin, viola and tenor violin. "Just you bring in your fiddle Jack and set your heart in tune..." Highly recommended.
- Salli Chmura
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