Search - Iren Lovasz, Teagrass :: Wide Is the Danube

The inspiration for this encounter between Hungary's Iren Lovasz and the Czech folk-jazz-bluegrass band Teagrass came from Michal Shapiro, a New York-based music producer and journalist. As usual, Shapiro was right. There could be no better companions for a musical exploration of the various ethnic enclaves and nationalities living along the Danube River. Balkan, Gypsy, and Jewish tunes turn up, flanked by several songs of specifically Moravian or Hungarian origin. The acoustic instrumentals are creative, tight, and clean. Teagrass employ a hurdy-gurdy, viola da gamba, fiddle, clarinets and saxophones, plus flutes and bass, but the mandolinist makes the strongest impression. The group has an eclectic quirkiness that is refined but not inhibited by Lovasz's erudition and cultural integrity, and the ensemble provides an ideal setting for her flawless singing. --Christina Roden