Search - Curlew :: Fabulous Drop

Two words: Kenny Wollesen

T. Klaase | Orange Park, Florida United States | 05/19/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the finest Curlew album I own (out of 4 other albums). Kenny Wollesen's amazing antics just rocket this recording straight into outerspace. I've really enjoyed the other Curlew recordings as well, but this particular album is vintage Curlew at their strongest musically, compositionally, etc. I'd buy this album again in a moment."

How come no one but me likes this stuff?

Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 10/13/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Is it because they're just slightly below the average instrumental music lover's radar screen? Is it because they record for some obscure label, Cuneiform Records, out of Silver Spring, MD? Is it because they walk some seldom successfully trodden line between rock and jazz? I don't know. And I really don't spend a whole lot of time thinking about it. I just listen to great record after great record that they've put out, and I'm glad. Glad that I somehow stumbled onto this glorious brainchild of George Cartwright. Glad that my ears are open enough to welcome the strange musical sound-images that, esp., Chris Cochrane and Davy Williams on guitar offer up. But I'm really and truly grateful for the southern gothic musical genius that George Cartwright brings to these proceedings.This strikes me as the most accomplished Curlew recording to date, containing all the trademark Curlew moves, honed to perfection: the dual guitar sonic assualt; hip drumming (courtesy of Kenny Wolleson, perhpas THE premier downtown drummer, replacing the formidable Samm Bennett); deep groovin' e-bass courtesy of the inimitable Ann Rupel. I could wish for a little more prominence from George Cartwright's searing alto and tenor sax, but everything seems entirely in order here, and I really wouldn't want to change a thing (and, to give him his due, George does really get into it by the third cut with a mind-blowing sax solo on "Blood Meridian"). The title cut, with is rhythmic swagger, absolutely stick-in-your-mind melody, aural sophistication, and brilliant dual-guitar interplay, always does it for me--vaulting me out of whatever funk I'm in into some kind of musical Never-Never Land. Cartwright's solo, coming around the 3:45 minute mark, rockets the proceedings into another dimension. Thank you, Curlew.Not nearly as demented as Ez Pour Spout, Curlew nevertheless manages to produce their own brand of post-modern jazz of the highest order. Check 'em out."