| Reviews
Songlines Magazine Horses
Brawl Album Review
Gymnastic anachronisms from terpsichorean trio "The music of
this trio, with Laura Cannell on recorder and crumhorn, Adrian Lever
on guitar and Jonathan Manton on cello, takes as its starting point
the dance music of medieval and Renaissance Europe, performed with
tremendous energy, virtuosity and verve. It’s clear that each performer
has achieved a level of technical assurance and experience, and
their familiarity with elements of European folk adds an extra dimension
to the sound. Romanian, Bulgarian and English Traditional dances
rub shoulders with material such as ‘Douce Dame Jolie’, a virelai
by the seminal French composer and poet Guillaume de Machaut (performed
here as an instrumental), and happy experiments with sound colour
and technique means that it is sometimes impossible to tell exactly
who is doing what.
Cannell’s fleet recorder scoots along above lively ostinato figures
and rambunctious strumming, while slower pieces carefully balance
emotion and poise. The bouncy good humour that marks much of the
playing here is clearly founded on deep knowledge and long study,
yet there is neither a slavish attempt to imitate folk styles, nor
have the players taken out shares in the deeply irritating ‘Merrie
Englande Inc’. Instead they have come up with a solid piece of work
which bears repeated listening, and makes me want to see them live
– not simply to find out how they produce such fascinating and intricate
textures with a band that is only three members strong.”
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Quick
quotes
"It's great stuff.....an early music group to keepan eye on"
BBC RADIO 3
"Foot-tapping folk rhythms and baroque ornamentation".
THE TELEGRAPH
"Highly experimental, technically
wonderful....a fantastic and vibrant performance"
TRADITION Magazine
"Deeply entwined in the sound of medieval and traditional folk,
Horses Brawl are giving a 21st century makeover to the dance music
of the past"
BBC Norfolk
"Horses Brawl's music is vibrant, engaging and completely spellbinding.....I
love it, one of the most exciting bands around"
Steafan Hannigan
"A fascinating progression from formal dance music to semi-improvisation
that had the packed audience roaring for more"
fROOTs FORUM Album launch review |
