900 Miles

Bethany & Rufus | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 30, 2007)
• Original Release Date: January 30, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: HYENA Records
• ASIN: B000ICLTP0
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #147,910 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Bethany Yarrow and Rufus Cappadocia manage to get quite a bit out of not much at all. Their spare collaboration on 900 Miles references a wide swath of folk and jazz, but the nocturnal smokiness of Yarrow's haunted alto and Cappadocia's cello combine for a sound that's slightly outside of the usual music universe. There's some Cowboy Junkies here, a dash of Tuck & Patti there and an overall otherworldliness more akin to a David Lynch movie. Yarrow doesn't just vamp for the whole record though; her range careens from hushed to strident, and she even does a pretty fair PJ Harvey wail (circa 4-Track Demos) on "Linin' Track," and "Isn't That So?" Meanwhile, Cappadocia often puts down his bow, extracting some funk out of "If I Had My Way," or leading off "East Virginia" with a little Latin guitar flavor. But the heart of the record is in the ballads, as the duo stretches out with long, dark adagio passages filled with dust and desire. Bethany & Rufus successfully transcend their limited instrumentation, coming up with a debut that gets better and better with each listen. –Matthew Cooke

Product Description

It often seems that the best music being made today completely defies category. The most exciting artists might mix influences ranging from dusty American field recordings to modern jazz, from delicate folk pop to the Griot traditions of Africa. Bethany & Rufus are just such an example, and yet they take it a step further by taking a step back. The duo, comprised of the honey-voiced Bethany Yarrow (daughter of famous folk singer Peter Yarrow) and the world-renowned cellist Rufus Cappadocia, refine their vast influences through the minimalist combination of voice and cello, while focusing their attention on traditional songs from America's gritty folk past such as "St. James Infirmary," "East Virginia" and "Linin' Track." The results on their debut album, 900 Miles, are stark, haunting and utterly gorgeous. It can draw comparisons as easily to Cassandra Wilson as the Cowboy Junkies, Nina Simone as Jolie Holland. With a national tour on the horizon and festival bookings already stacking up for 2007, it's only a matter of time until Bethany & Rufus are themselves influencing a new generation of artists.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Souful performances., March 4, 2007

By 

joemacktheknife (East Hampton, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 900 Miles (Audio CD)

Bethany & Rufus are an incredible cello and voice duo that slides elegantly between groove, jazz and psychedelic folk.
Their new CD makes it obvious why these indie artists are capturing national attention.
It is a stunningly simple and beautiful work, a magical blend of Bethany's electrifying voice (a combination of the husky power of Nina Simone and the open-hearted sweetness of a tiny sparrow) and the mind-blowing, genre-bending cello playing of Rufus Cappadocia.
With a deeply soulful sound Bethany (daughter of folk legend Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary) and Rufus have transformed timeless songs such as "900 Miles", "East Virginia", and "St. James Infirmary" -- pushing the boundaries of American folk far into the territory of groove and sweet soul.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Music, March 12, 2007

By 

kenshi (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 900 Miles (Audio CD)

First of all I have to admit to a bit of bias as I know Rufus personally. Many times these Amazon reviews are slated with friends and family of the artists or authors as well as those who have vested interest in seeing these projects succeed. For me its best I say it out front as I want to give a personal tribute to a good family friend and superb musician.

With all that said, Rufus Cappadocia is a highly unique cellist. Although he is classically trained, he had long since abandoned that traditional approach to music and instead adapted a highly unorthodox style in which he uses his fingers to tap the strings. If you are familiar with the guitar style of Stanley Jordan, then you know what I referring to. The result is a highly percussive and bass-like sound that is far more richer and expressive. This is not to say he has totally abandoned the use of the bow but this does he free him up to play other styles of music such as jazz, african, indian, funk, flamenco and much more. On this CD we see both Bethany and him give wonderful space and expression to each other's talent.

I am not a musician and so my review of his technique would not do him justice but overall I think this is a CD worth listening to. Hopefully you will have a chance to hear more of him.

Best Regards to Che, Zack and Louise :)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a refreshing sound, March 14, 2007

By 

Donald "Teacherman" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 900 Miles (Audio CD)

Brings back the days of folk singing with a brilliant and new style.