Search - Irish Traditional, Mark O'Connor, American Traditional :: Appalachia Waltz / Ma, Meyer, O'Connor

This CD seeks to break new ground -- and succeeds!

Melanie White | Seattle, WA United States | 04/01/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A reviewer posted here (from Pennsylvania) complaining that this CD lacked a true bluegrass feel (sweaty farmer, etc.). This person missed the point. This is not a bluegrass CD. It's a hybrid, something new, blurring the lines between classical, jazz, bluegrass, and Celtic. You won't find anything anywhere like it (and if you do, please email me to tell me about it!). I love this CD almost more than is reasonable. We heard Yo-Yo Ma perform here in Seattle a few months ago, and for his encore, he played an arrangement of "Appalachia Waltz" for solo cello. Apart from the sheer virtuosity of playing this trio tune as a solo (no mean feat -- it was awesome), this was first and only time in my life when hearing a song *for the first time* I was moved to tears (plural, as in many). It was *sublime* -- as are several tunes on this album. It really is just about the prettiest music I've heard in many years... IF you listen with an open mind! Don't try to pidgeonhole it into a category -- try to take it on its own terms. Not all tracks are as successful as others -- but even on the ones I don't care for, I admire the creative effort and enjoy the playing. So if you want "pure" bluegrass, don't buy this CD. If you want true originality, creative risk-taking, and inspired collaboration, this is a work of moving beauty, top-notch playing -- and fun! My deepest gratitude to them, all three, for giving us this gift!"

A superb collaboration

Melanie White | 07/13/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"An excellent synergy of Meyer's peerless bass technique, unmatched stylistic versatilty, and innovative composing/arranging with the similar skills of smooth-fiddling Mark O'Connor and the open-eared virtuosity of Yo-Yo Ma. Those expecting the rough-edged sounds of old-timey, bluegrass, or other folk-derived styles might be disappointed, but if you'd like to hear those folk influences refined and superbly interpreted by three of the most technically accomplished and subtly soulful string players on the planet, this one's for you. Think Copland's "Appalachian Spring" but *vastly* deeper with the attention to detail that can only come of hands-on intimacy with the actual source traditions, distilled into beautifully energetic chamber music. Recommended without reservation!"

JUST BUY IT!

Paul Adomshick | Pittsburgh, PA | 09/10/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When answering the favorite hypothetical, "If you were on a desert island and could only have 10 CDs...", this would surely be one of the first ones on my list.While I have loved the music of Mark O'Connor for many years and have thoroughly enjoyed everything I have ever heard from Edgar Meyer and am always impressed with Yo-Yo Ma's talent, I think that this may be some of the most inspired, and inspiring music from any of them. I have listened to this CD time and time again since it first came out (I literally buy everything that Mark O'Connor records on the day it is released.) and never tire of a single note. JUST BUY IT!One recommendation to anyone who has not had the opportunity to see Mark O'Connor perform live, in any setting - it will be one of the most amazing musical experiences of your life. I have seen him perform solo (fiddle, guitar and mandolin)several times and with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra once, and each performance was among the greatest I will ever experience."