Customer Reviews

900 Miles

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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 :)

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

Hearing recordings is one thing, but seeing Bethany and Rufus in a live setting adds another dimension. I had the great fortune to see them play a house concert this month in Portland, Oregon. The sheer musicianship and physicality of their performance floored me. The power of Bethany's voice; her vocal drama, presence and control, and clearly, the musical intuition and exposure which informs that voice, tinged with gospel/R&B/World Music elements. Along with Rufus's very unorthodox cello style; not only finger tapping as mentioned in another review, but a combo of slap bass and "slap bow" - percussively and rhythmically slapping the bow in concert with the left hand fingering and tapping technique. And of course, beautifully executed traditional technique. Poetry in motion. Rufus also plays a modified baritone-like guitar with four double strings which he created himself from a standard guitar, and has outfitted the neck in such a way that he can explore Middle Eastern-influenced quarter tone intervals. Bethany and Rufus are each one of a kind, truly immersed in their craft. I highly recommend their music.

I bought this 3 years ago and it awakened an itch I can't scratch any other way. As a team they're unique - and I crave more. After I listened the first couple of times I put it away for maybe a year. For the last six months I've listened to it daily (at least). Give it a listen and give it time to grow on you. You won't regret it. It's stylish, spare, haunting.

Out of the 3000 or so albums in my collection, this is very near the top. Sultry, soulful, involving, too short.

More please!

I had the pleasure - no, the privilege - of hearing Bethany and Rufus in a very small club in Sacramento just last night (9/12/07). A voice such as Bethany's is rare - her range is phenomenal. There is a haunting quality to her voice that is difficult to describe, and time after time, I felt chills run up my spine as I thrilled to her vocals and to Rufus' gifted cello playing. The miraculous range of music Rufus executes is as difficult to describe as Bethany's voice. There was one non-vocal piece, "Lament for Iraq" which I assume Rufus wrote that left me near tears, it was THAT evocative of sorrow, of a mournful wail. I bought both their CDs, both the "900 Miles" and Rufus' solo cd.

What a treat it was to see them. If you get the chance to see them in performance, DO! And while you're at it, check out the CDs. I am not associated with Bethany/Rufus by friendship (wish I were!), I'm just a new and very excited/devoted fan.

Bethany Yarrow's rich vocals alternately soar, then wail, as she breathes life into the melancholy folk songs found on this captivating disc. The grooves created by Rufus Cappadocia, playing 5 string cello much like a bass, are intricate, bold, and hard driving throughout. Although 900 Miles is their first recording endeavor together, one gets the immediate impression that they have lived and loved this music for a long time.

"If I had My Way," the seventh cut on 900 Miles, speaks of the frustrations of living in an imperfect world and wanting to take matters into one's own hands. "If I had my way, If I had my way, If I had my way in this wicked world, I'd tear this building down." (liner notes) As Bethany "tears it down," Rufus "builds it up." With the assistance of percussionist Gaston "Bonga" Jean Baptiste, Rufus pours a funk driven foundation, starting with sparsely delivered cello riffs, building into a fully furnished two story rhythmic mansion, nicely appointed with luxurious drumming provided by Baptiste.

Throughout 900 Miles, Bethany and Rufus contrast and compliment one another continuously: The calm serenity of the vocal, and the intensity of the cello groove; her flowing lyric and his relentless pulse; the song, and the groove; Bethany & Rufus 900 Miles.

The strings on this cd are artsy and groovy. The music reminds me of "Watson & Co." who used to play Houston art fairs, but with vocals. 900 Miles has a great coffee house sound, but has more variation with the world music flair. The pair are great together. Her voice is crystalic yet very real to believe. This is a good sound to sit and visit with a friend by, or reflect in the story the cd tells by itself.