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A Distant Bell - Caroline Lavelle (Ringing Tree Records) www.carolinelavelle.com Compared to Bliss (see Bliss review), Caroline Lavelle's voice and songs are altogether darker – and consequently in some ways more moving. On first listen the CD seems perhaps a little melancholic, but really this is a reflection of its hidden depths. Many of the songs have a distinct folk flavour, which provides a familiar anchor when set adrift in these truly remarkable arrangements. The classical string quartet is one of the crowning achievements of Western civilisation, but not something normally associated with folk music. Here alongside more customary guitar arrangements it is used to exquisite effect. Refreshingly free of synthesised sounds this CD has been painstakingly crafted with imaginative natural instrumentation including solo cello, psaltery, cor anglais (rather than oboe), and a haunting bass clarinet (not its little brother). It's taken a few listens to really delve into the textures of this CD, but it is increasingly rewarding. This is deeply felt music for its own sake and is truly a joy to discover amidst a world full of so much blandness, complacency and unoriginality. The CD is worth buying for track 9 alone in which Caroline weaves an enchanting folkish melody over music from composer David Bedford's Twelve Hours of Sunset. A full orchestral soundscape that far exceeds all synthesised ambient music in subtlety and tonal quality, and needless to say, originality. - Kinski, Jan '05
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All reviews and articles ©2007 Kinski, Kaufman and NewMusicReviews.co.uk |
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