Adventures in Well-Travelled Music
29 Oct 2014
On tour next: Pascuala Ilabaca & Fauna
Accordion-wielding Chilean songstress Pascuala Ilabaca is a true hidden gem: A favourite on the new scene of young Chilean singer-songwriters, her music is rooted in traditional sounds but effortlessly integrates shades of jazz, pop and rock, and influences gathered in such distant places as India or Mexico. Accompanied by her formidable band Fauna, her unique stage presence conjures up sweetness and empowerment at the same time, setting her songs alive with both fragility and verve. Picking up the legacy of the great Violeta Parra (her biggest inspiration) this engaging young artist from the colourful port city of Valparaiso already has a big following at home in Chile (including awards and presidential invitations), and is now striding out confidently to conquer the rest of the world.
Pascuala and her band are particularly excited about appearing in London as part of the EFG London Jazz festival programme; jazz has been a big inspriation in the mix of styles and influences that light up Pascuala's music. Her excellent video clips are a great introduction to this wonderful artist making their UK debut with this tour.
10 Oct 2014
Live review: Cigdem Aslan at RNCM Manchester
By Anna Lowenstein
From the moment Aslan’s band walked onto the stage, I could tell we were in safe hands and from the first chord that strange shiver that wonderful music can produce had fully taken over.
Violinist Michalis Kouloumis drew tones and colours from his instrument I’ve rarely experienced. Through the use of stylistic ornamentation, new levels of the violin’s potential were on virtuosic display. The double bass and percussion players, who accompanied with the highest level of subtle invention, together created a rich carpet for the violin and kanun to rise from. Such clear mastery of instrumental technique was coupled with perfect musicianship, as each member of the band remained locked in eye contact throughout, smiling and laughing to each other as the music poured effortlessly out of their instruments.
And then Aslan emerged on stage, commanding attention even before she began to sing. And what a voice emerged! Sultry and passionate, the Turkish, Kurdish and Greek language barrier didn’t really matter as the meaning and intention of each song was conveyed perfectly clearly. Her words and melodies bounced off the sensitive accompaniment, sometimes leading, sometimes imitating what the instrumentalists were up to in another display of great musical communication.
It was so refreshing to see a group of musicians so clearly enjoying what they were doing. All too often, one sees jaded orchestral musicians on stage, slogging through yet another rendition of repertoire they have been playing for years. It seemed as though these musicians could play their set a thousand and one times and still play it differently and with fresh enthusiasm, never tiring of making music together and individually. And I think I would be happy to hear it over and over too!
From the moment Aslan’s band walked onto the stage, I could tell we were in safe hands and from the first chord that strange shiver that wonderful music can produce had fully taken over.
Violinist Michalis Kouloumis drew tones and colours from his instrument I’ve rarely experienced. Through the use of stylistic ornamentation, new levels of the violin’s potential were on virtuosic display. The double bass and percussion players, who accompanied with the highest level of subtle invention, together created a rich carpet for the violin and kanun to rise from. Such clear mastery of instrumental technique was coupled with perfect musicianship, as each member of the band remained locked in eye contact throughout, smiling and laughing to each other as the music poured effortlessly out of their instruments.
And then Aslan emerged on stage, commanding attention even before she began to sing. And what a voice emerged! Sultry and passionate, the Turkish, Kurdish and Greek language barrier didn’t really matter as the meaning and intention of each song was conveyed perfectly clearly. Her words and melodies bounced off the sensitive accompaniment, sometimes leading, sometimes imitating what the instrumentalists were up to in another display of great musical communication.
It was so refreshing to see a group of musicians so clearly enjoying what they were doing. All too often, one sees jaded orchestral musicians on stage, slogging through yet another rendition of repertoire they have been playing for years. It seemed as though these musicians could play their set a thousand and one times and still play it differently and with fresh enthusiasm, never tiring of making music together and individually. And I think I would be happy to hear it over and over too!
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| photo: Katerina Pavlakis |
3 Oct 2014
Live review: Cigdem Aslan at Union Chapel
By Remy Geoffroy
As soon as I rounded the corner linking Islington High Street with Union Chapel, I was startled by the length of the queue in front of the building. Apart from the usual crowd of Turkish and Greek followers, there was a contingent of English folks whose presence would have seemed a little odd had the acclaimed author Louis de Bernieres not been present. Indeed, this event was more than just a concert and a recital, it was a bold collaboration, a game of question and answer between some very fine musicians and a skilled writer.
The show started with a couple of Turkish pieces performed by the superb Cigdem Aslan and her band of virtuoso musicians, which won the audience´s heart and set the scene for Louis de Bernieres to take over. Reading some chosen extracts from his book Birds Without Wings, he described life in early 20th century Anatolia, with his customary elegance of prose and wit. At first, Louis’s nasal, slightly high-pitched voice contrasted a little harshly with the smoky honey of Cigdem Aslan´s, especially since the opening tunes had whetted the crowd´s appetite for music. But as the writer´s voice gradually warmed, so did the audience, and from then on, not a peep was heard from the captive spectators.
As Louis de Bernieres navigated between chapters, so did the band, thus participating in the creation of a unique atmosphere, bathed in reminiscence of a bygone era, teary at times, joyful the next, and made especially beautiful by the magical décor of Union Chapel (the venue). The show was a voyage through time, space and emotions, and the audience hung on every breath of both singer and writer. Cigdem Aslan has surrounded herself with musicians of exquisite technique and feeling, and their pleasure at performing together was visible to all.
As soon as I rounded the corner linking Islington High Street with Union Chapel, I was startled by the length of the queue in front of the building. Apart from the usual crowd of Turkish and Greek followers, there was a contingent of English folks whose presence would have seemed a little odd had the acclaimed author Louis de Bernieres not been present. Indeed, this event was more than just a concert and a recital, it was a bold collaboration, a game of question and answer between some very fine musicians and a skilled writer.
The show started with a couple of Turkish pieces performed by the superb Cigdem Aslan and her band of virtuoso musicians, which won the audience´s heart and set the scene for Louis de Bernieres to take over. Reading some chosen extracts from his book Birds Without Wings, he described life in early 20th century Anatolia, with his customary elegance of prose and wit. At first, Louis’s nasal, slightly high-pitched voice contrasted a little harshly with the smoky honey of Cigdem Aslan´s, especially since the opening tunes had whetted the crowd´s appetite for music. But as the writer´s voice gradually warmed, so did the audience, and from then on, not a peep was heard from the captive spectators.
As Louis de Bernieres navigated between chapters, so did the band, thus participating in the creation of a unique atmosphere, bathed in reminiscence of a bygone era, teary at times, joyful the next, and made especially beautiful by the magical décor of Union Chapel (the venue). The show was a voyage through time, space and emotions, and the audience hung on every breath of both singer and writer. Cigdem Aslan has surrounded herself with musicians of exquisite technique and feeling, and their pleasure at performing together was visible to all.
 |
| photo: Katerina Pavlakis |
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