the project
One of Australia's most distinctive contemporary music
ensembles returns with its second United States release. The eponymous
Coolangubra picks up where last year's
Storm Coming
(
13080) left off; the trio again creates an
atmospheric mood through the subtle interplay of acoustic instruments,
occasional natural or
found sounds, and the odd kitchen utensil
or toy instrument.
The group, Coolangubra, takes its name from a small,
beautiful, but unprotected forest in southeastern Australia, where
the three members of the ensemble have been deeply involved in the
environmental movement. But Coolangubra is not heavy–handed.
In fact, the trio's combination of acoustic guitar, violin or electric
viola, and percussion from around the world, produces a sound that
is immediately appealing and organic—and somehow distinctly Australian.
Coolangubra has gathered critical and popular acclaim
in both jazz and contemporary music circles in Australia, but their
music is not easily pinned down. There are strong elements of folk,
bluegrass, non–Western, and chamber music, as well as hints of
ambient electronics and minimalism in some pieces. The result is a
fertile blend of emotion and energy, making Coolangubra one of the
most important musical exports ever to head north from down under.
the artists
Most listeners first notice the distinctive sound
of Coolangubra,
Claes Pearce, on violin and electric
viola. Her remarkable, almost vocal sound has been heard in many settings,
from free jazz to mainstream pop, and gives Coolangubra its emotional
depth.
Stephen Berry is a two–time national
champion in bluegrass guitar competition, and has developed a strong
rythmic style that leaves traditional bluegrass picking behind. Berry's
guitar is the driving force in Coolangubra, which leaves percussionist,
Greg Sheehan, free to fill out the sound with a kaleidoscope
of instruments, ranging from Filipino jaw harp to Arabic jar drum
to Tupperware. Like Pearce, Sheehan has played with a number of Australian
groups, including a pair of rock bands, and has also written and performed
music for theater and dance. With the addition of guest bassist,
Steve
Elphick, and occasional electronic or vocal effects, the
group Coolangubra uses a wide palette of tone colors to paint a musical
portrait of the forest it is named after.
tracklist
| 1 |
Kobing (A sound that in various forms can be heard
around the world) |
2'02" |
| 2 |
To Russia (Imagining the trauma and uncertainty
endured by the Russian people) |
9'29" |
| 3 |
Moving In (Each day we live we're letting go) |
2'28" |
| 4 |
Coolangubra (Dedicated to activists everywhere) |
8'21" |
| 5 |
32 Steps to Compassion ( A cycle of 32 illuminating
notes) |
6'23" |
| 6 |
Finding You (Again) (Finding power growing, living) |
11'48" |
| 7 |
Song for John (Coltrane playing in a dream, I
woke up and wrote it down!) |
5'55" |
| 8 |
Beloved Land (How can words ever express the love
for your ever changingess) |
4'52" |
| 9 |
All in You, All in Me (In awe of the
range of feelings that occur in us all) |
5'17" |
| 10 |
The Start of it All (The tiniest seed of an idea
may grow into something unimaginable) |
7'25" |
| |
Total Time: |
64'17" |
