heaven eyes
rise of the cellorettes
invasion
live reviews
Heaven
Eyes
Cellorhythmics featuring James Hesford &
Alfia Nakipbekova (cellos) with percussion, harmonica
and voices.
Subtitled “Soundtrack by James Hesford”
this latest release by the resourceful Cellorhythmics
is a suite of incidental music composed for a
dramatisation of David Almond’s Heaven Eyes,
a morality tale for older children that was performed
at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this summer.
As a piece of stand-alone music it contains sufficient
of those ingredients that have made the group’s
last two releases so pleasurable to warrant purchase
by those who have no interest in the play or the
book from which it was derived but equally it
would of course make a nice souvenir for those
who have.
If anything is lacking it is the jazz element,
for here- no doubt in respect of the storyline-
the focus is on world music influences in which
melodies of a Balkan and Far-Eastern nature predominate.
Hesford, as ever, mixes his musical palette with
great skill and just when you are starting to
get acquainted with a particular line of musical
development he switches gear and introduces an
another element – perhaps a chant or some
exotic percussion- to spice up the concoction.
Tuneful and easy on the ear each piece is also
beautifully played, often displaying a harmonic
sophistication that belies the apparent simplicity
of the music.
Euan Dixon (Jazz
Views)
The Cellorhythmics create a lovely, haunting
sonic fabric thus creating a perfect balance of
different conponents of music ........somthing
that's all of their own, and that something definitely
works. A truly wonderful experience for those
who love strings, cellos in particularly.
Corbin Keep (episode 12
Bowed Radio)
“The Rise of the Cellorettes”, piece
full of hard rock energy played with a staggering
brio whilst track three brings an even bigger
surprise with a version of the Beach Boys’
“Good Vibrations” that sounds totally
idiomatic, as though it was written in the first
place for strings other than guitars...inspiration
is one thing that Nakipbekova and Hesford have
in abundance on their own account given the diversity
of their musical interests and achievements. That
they have stitched their musical influences together
so effectively to create a musical tapestry of
such variegated hues and genres... is a testimony
to their scholarship, technique and instincts...
Euan Dixon (Jazz Views)
"Talented pair James Hesford of Yorkshire
and Alfia Nakipbekova, originally from Central
Kazakhstan, have recorded a dexterous album of
their ‘progressive chamber music’
ably supported by Marc Layton Bennett on percussion
and Andy Garbi on occasional vocals. Described
as “rousing, intense and joyous” by
no less an authority than Charlie Gillett, the
duo instantly capture the listener with the contemporary
riffage of the opener “So Long Phoenix”,
which is swiftly followed by the rocking title
track. In addition, their adventurous production
of Brian Wilson’s “Good Vibrations”
displays a deft understanding of harmony and arrangement,
which gives the whole glorious classic a completely
fresh dimension all of its own."
Musician, Autumn 2005
"a remarkable, stimulating and brilliantly
played recital of contemporary chamber music that
is brimming with vitality. Both players are extremely
accomplished... Both demonstrate an awesome rapport
and commitment to their artistic vision...Preferring
not to describe it as “crossover”
music but “progressive chamber music”
Hesford presents a programme that soaks up a lot
of influences...the outcome is very successful
and if you are an adventurous soul who fancies
a change from mainline jazz here is a well recorded,
generously timed disc of music that will intrigue
and delight."
Euan Dixon (Jazz Views)
" The original music written by James Hesford
exploring the world of rhythm and improvisation
is exciting and innovative, with ideas drawn from
many different sources from gospel to bebop. The
cellos, both acoustic and electric are played
with gutsy virtuosity."
Harriet Bennett (Musician)
"The art of two cellos, creatively
manipulated to break this instrument free from
its classically perceived confines, is the Cellorthythmics.
James Hesford and Alfia Nakipbekova, South Yorkshire
meets Central Kazahkstan."
Claudius Hillman (Straight
No Chaser)
"Composers, such as Igor Stravinsky, Maurice
Ravel and Leonard Bernstein, have written jazzy
music for classical orchestra while jazz musicians,
such as Duke Ellington and Dave Brubeck, have
written classical pieces for jazz bands.
Until now, chamber music has been neglected by
either camp. Very little, if any, jazzy music
has been written for string ensembles, possibly
because jazz is usually associated with percussion
and a brassy sound. A group based in Islington
called Cellorhythmics is opening up new territory
using cellos to produce the sounds of a jazz-band
rhythm section as well as a melody line that can
alternate between delicious accuracy and trombone-style
glissandos."
Bill Ellington
Live Reviews
Three Weeks - Edinburgh
Fringe 2006
The Rise Of The Cellorettes
Cellorhythmics
The Cellorhythmics drop styles like some people
drop names. You’ll be getting in to something
they’re playing, really starting to enjoy
it because, after all, they are all truly excellent
musicians individually and a well rehearsed ensemble
together, when, the drummer will leap up from
his stool, grab a berimbau and start parading
around the audience with it, snapping its single
string polyrhythmically with a smug look on his
face as if to say, ‘you didn’t see
that coming, did you?’ If you can handle
this sort of behaviour, if you want to see three
virtuoso cellists, and if you can spend £9
to do so, then go check out the Cellorhythmics.
The Herald - Edinburgh
Fringe 2006
Cellorhythmics is a kind of liberation society,
casting three cellos in up front roles more typically
filled by guitars and vocal haromonies with a
drummer/percussionist who can add South American
and Oriental flavours, and camio appearances from
harmonica and banjo, they get around the musical
landscape, from the Kronos Quartet staking out
western movie theme terrotory to heavey metal
rocking out and folk elements. It is an interesting
experiment.
One 4 Review - Edinburgh
Fringe 2006
The Cellorettes present a dramatic brand of music
drawn from a variety of musical backgrounds. They
comprise 3 cellos, percussion and bass guitar
with a little bit of harmonica, violin and banjo
from one of the cellists.
This unusual combination provides a rich melodic
sound backed by the percussion and bass guitar
to give a driving beat to their jazz/funk numbers.
They take their influences from Irish jigs, oriental,
Indian and Latin sources. Although their set is
mainly up tempo, they slow things down with several
lyrical and emotional pieces.
The Cellorhythmics perform an unusual and enjoyable
range of music with panache.
AUDIENCE REVIEWS - EDINBURGH
FRINGE
Funky strings 23 Aug
2006
Great music and lovely to see the musicians
having such fun. Versatile. Didn't see any dance
though. Costume change didn't add anything.
Funky rhythms 20
Aug 2006
reviewer: Jane Lewis, United Kingdom
This is excellent! Technically brilliant musicians
playing interesting and diverse music with passion
and delight. An amazing interplay of funky rhythms
and beautiful, moving tunes.
High energy 20 Aug 2006
reviewer: Anna Morris, United Kingdom
Great - I loved this performance. It's difficult
to find words to describe music so I won't try,
let's just say an hour of pure pleasure that is
over far too quickly and that you don't want to
end.
OTHER
“ cellorhythmics bring the cello into
21st century.”
Robert
Wyatt, Meltdown Festival
"Intense and joyous..."
Charlie Gillett, BBC London
"Cellorhythmics electrifies the Festival
..."
Le Courrier Picard Beauvais Festival
"First half very good but different (good)
strange and complicated rhythms. Excellent tune
10/10
Second half amazing, it sounded like the sea (with
boats). The electric cello was like nothing I
have ever heard before! The ultra violet light
was a good effect. Good drumming and things like
that from behind. A nice variety of instruments
and lots of ways of playing them. 11/10 Well done!
"
Cumbria tour review - Viv
Walker (aged 10)
"Skirwith Hall resounded to the exciting
sounds and rhythms of Cellorhythmics. The The
performance was dramatically presented starting
with some very contemporary sounds reminiscent
of the Estonian-born German composer Arvo Part.
The music flowed on with verve and energy and
built up into bold rhythms which had the feet
tapping and audience clapping.
The group of five musicians from London was formed
by the virtuoso classical cellist Alfia Nakipbekova
and jazz cellist and composer James Hesford, who
also played banjo and violin in cello mode. Playing
with them were two other cellists and a percussionist
using a variety of interesting instruments.
In his unassuming manner, James gave a minimum
of explanation, but the music spoke for itself
as we heard influences of rhythms and sounds from
around the world played with such energy to create
a fusion of rich textures, encompassing experimental
and discordant strands, pieces often ending on
an unexpected note.
The audience loved it and demanded more. The final
piece ended with the percussionist coming off
the stage playing the berimbau, a fascinating
Brazillian instrument shaped like a longbow with
a very resonant sound.
This was Cellorhythmics first visit to Cumbria
– playing at Sedbergh and Hallbankgate as
well – the events being part of the Highlights
Rural Touring program which brings professional
music and theatre to rural areas. KT"
Cumberland and Westmoreland Herald
8th April 2006
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