the last lotus post
that's all there is, there ain't no more....enjoy!
artist: Samarabalouf
title: (self-titled sampler)
file under: int’l – LOTUS 2005
grade: A-
Samarabalouf is a French acoustic instrumental trio that is certain to charm Lotus Festers. This disc is a sampler from three European releases that may or may not see the light of day stateside. The first six are studio tracks—“Les Nababs” (01) sparkles as an upbeat, 2/4 bopper, and “La Rumba de l’Amour” (05) smolders with a slower tempo providing a base for some nice fretwork. The final three songs are live, bringing the intensity level back up. Here’s hoping tracks like “Zarbie pas touché la Mouche” (07) and “Couscous Frites Mescal” (08) are what we’re in store for.
artist: Walter Roldán
title: Memorias del Pago (sampler) [1997]
file under: Int’l – Uruguay—LOTUS 2005
grade: A- / B+
Accordionistas rejoice! (And I know you’re out there!) Roldán delivers just what you hoped he would when you saw the cover…though there is guitar holding things down, center stage is voice + squeezebox. This is but a four-song sampler from 1997, but there’s enough to whet your appetite…Check out his more recent work with his group Los Gauchos de Roldán: this is the act coming for Lotus.
artist: Garmarna
title: Hildegard von Bingen (2001)
file under: int’l – LOTUS 2005
grade: A
During the '90s the new age crowd discovered Hildegard von Bingen, one of the first credited female composers, and gave her work their anemic treatment. Sweden's Garmarna right the balance by presenting the medieval mistress of song in a 21st century light, not always soft and romantic, but often hard, driven by programmed beats, with Emma Härdelin's eerie voice intoning von Bingen's Latin liturgical lyrics over the top. There's even a touch of Portishead-goes-to-Sweden in the trip-hoppy "Paso" (08), the album's only original piece. They've adapted the original works so well—transporting them to modern times but keeping the ancient feel—that while von Bingen might have been rolling over in her grave from the ministrations of the wind-chime brigade, she's probably smiling broadly at this. (4 stars)
artist: Tim Eriksen
title: Every Sound Below (2004)
file under: Old Timey—LOTUS 2005
grade: A
Every Sound Below is so much of a throwback to yesteryear that one could almost take the "neo" out when describing Eriksen as a neo-traditionalist. After all, when compared to a happening guy like Tim O'Brien, Eriksen sounds as if he was born in the Blue Ridge Mountains and taught to shape-note sing at a local Primitive Baptist Church. Having said this, with rare exceptions — like "Omie Wise" (13) — these old songs aren't overly familiar, and Eriksen's intense performance style brings an immediacy to traditional fare that drags it into the 21st century. In this way, his versions of "Friendship" (08), with its accompanying fiddle, and "John Colby's Hymn" (09) with its old-time banjo, remind one of Dirk Powell, another young lad who runs in neo-traditionalist circles. For those who like their roots music to actually have roots, Eriksen's lively interpretations will hit the spot. (4 stars)
artist: Rachael Davis
title: Minor League Deities (2001)
file under: singer / songwriter – LOTUS 2005
grade: B
Davis can swerve from lounge-y jazz (01) to bluegrass-y (02) to coffeehouse folk-y (03), to blues-y (06) to acapella (07)…but to me it all sounds rather labored. Maybe I’m being too hard on the old girl. Give her a try—what the heck.
artist: Los Gauchos de Roldán
title: Puntas de Arerunguá
file under: Int’l / Uruguay / LOTUS 2005
grade: A-
Laura Mulvey wrote something about the objectification of the subject, so that the accordioned hands can be seen in separation from the rest of their bodies—to say nothing of their rural Uruguayan heritage. At least I think that’s what she was on about. I’ll get back to you. Too many good Lotus discs, and this is the last review. And yes, Los G are charming!
posted by Anonymous @ 2:09:00 PM
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