This pluckish trio proves to be wildly entertaining
J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 06/10/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Playing Time - 41:17 -- Recorded live in concert at Bowling Green University (Ohio) on January 13, 2006, this adventurous "multi-genre power trio" has a unique affinity for (and the skill to effortlessly present) both old-time fiddling and classical music. It's often said that artists from one genre can't capture the heart and soul of the other. Many bluegrass musicians play by ear, without classical training, and their music is passed down from generation to generation with a certain degree of rusticity in a folkloric fashion. Proficient sight-reading classical musicians focus on technique, tone and timing, often to make them better orchestra musicians. Time for Three is a bold and courageous trio of young musicians with two violins and upright bass. Zachary DePue, Nicolas Kendall, and Ranaan Meyer met and formed the trio while enrolled at the Curtis Institute of Music. Their self-titled debut album was released in late-2002. They perform regularly, at a variety of venues and festivals, and with many symphony orchestras. Their chutzpah is both a mix of strong self-assurance with a little impudence on the side. Thus, this pluckish trio is proving to be wildly entertaining.
With considerable shows under their belts, their repertoire shows that these lyrical players can continue to evoke great emotional electricity. It's interesting to compare this 2006 live concert with many of the same old-time fiddling, bluegrass, Gypsy and classical pieces released just over three years before. I don't sense any boredom in their playing of the selections. If anything, their youthful exuberance many push a few of them ("Csardas" or "Ragtime Annie" or "Orange Blossom Special") into high-stepping tempos that certainly have plenty of get-up-and-go but may actually lose some of their emotion and passion as a result of their speed.
Opening with "Shenandoah," their considerable pluck and fine bow work transition into a Ranaan Meyer's original, "Foxdown." Father of Bluegrass Bill Monroe's "Jerusalem Ridge" about an area he hunted for fox near Rosine, Ky. is given a snappy arrangement with such tempo that the Celtic sounds that Monroe wanted to reflect with the minor key have been sacrificed for improvisational jazz-like sensibilities. As with their earlier album, Meyer's bass and some train sound effects provide the prelude for an "Orange Blossom Special" that is then propelled into a locomotive mood. Time for Three's live 2006 show only offered Jay Ungar's "Ashoken Farewell" (used as the theme for the PBS Civil War series), instead of incorporating it into a medley with "Amazing Grace" as they'd done before. Smooth handling of their violin bows allow the virtuoso musicians to intimately convey Ranaan Meyer's original "Thunderstomp," a highlight of this concert. "The Bach Double" features just DePue and Kendall in a warm, weaving conversation, while Brahm's "Hungarian Dance No. 5" moves at a fast clip. They used to have a longer arrangement that segued from solo bass to the selection's rhythmic intensity.
The eclectic trio Time for Three demonstrates power, virtuosity, cohesion, and kinship. They would clearly be role models to other younger musicians taking up strings. They have some standard crowd-pleasers that are presented live. I encourage them to continue writing their own music, looking for new material to arrange, and pushing the envelope into uncharted territory. A faculty member at their alma mater, award-winning composer Jennifer Higdon, has been commissioned to create a contemporary work for the trio, scheduled to premier in early 2008. And, as they move quickly to even greater acclaim, I hope Time For Three won't be afraid to slow down just a tad to tap the emotional depth and personalities of some of the more familiar or less challenging melodies that they've played for years. (Joe Ross, Roseburg, OR.)
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Heiler Review of "We Just Burned This For You"
Frederick R. Heiler | Chester Springs, PA | 03/17/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've been enamored with the Time For Three group ever since I saw them premiere the "Concerto 4-3" (by their talented pal Jennifer Higdon) with the Philadelphia Orchestra, and I haven't been disappointed by their recordings. What a highly musical and high-energy blend of classical and bluegrass sounds!"
