Customer Reviews

Appalachia Waltz / Ma, Meyer, O'Connor

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A reviewer posted here (from Pennsylvania) complaining that this CD lacked a true bluegrass feel (sweaty farmer, etc.). This person missed the point. This is not a bluegrass CD. It's a hybrid, something new, blurring the lines between classical, jazz, bluegrass, and Celtic. You won't find anything anywhere like it (and if you do, please email me to tell me about it!). I love this CD almost more than is reasonable. We heard Yo-Yo Ma perform here in Seattle a few months ago, and for his encore, he played an arrangement of "Appalachia Waltz" for solo cello. Apart from the sheer virtuosity of playing this trio tune as a solo (no mean feat -- it was awesome), this was first and only time in my life when hearing a song *for the first time* I was moved to tears (plural, as in many). It was *sublime* -- as are several tunes on this album. It really is just about the prettiest music I've heard in many years... IF you listen with an open mind! Don't try to pidgeonhole it into a category -- try to take it on its own terms. Not all tracks are as successful as others -- but even on the ones I don't care for, I admire the creative effort and enjoy the playing. So if you want "pure" bluegrass, don't buy this CD. If you want true originality, creative risk-taking, and inspired collaboration, this is a work of moving beauty, top-notch playing -- and fun! My deepest gratitude to them, all three, for giving us this gift!

An excellent synergy of Meyer's peerless bass technique, unmatched stylistic versatilty, and innovative composing/arranging with the similar skills of smooth-fiddling Mark O'Connor and the open-eared virtuosity of Yo-Yo Ma. Those expecting the rough-edged sounds of old-timey, bluegrass, or other folk-derived styles might be disappointed, but if you'd like to hear those folk influences refined and superbly interpreted by three of the most technically accomplished and subtly soulful string players on the planet, this one's for you. Think Copland's "Appalachian Spring" but *vastly* deeper with the attention to detail that can only come of hands-on intimacy with the actual source traditions, distilled into beautifully energetic chamber music. Recommended without reservation!

When answering the favorite hypothetical, "If you were on a desert island and could only have 10 CDs...", this would surely be one of the first ones on my list.

While I have loved the music of Mark O'Connor for many years and have thoroughly enjoyed everything I have ever heard from Edgar Meyer and am always impressed with Yo-Yo Ma's talent, I think that this may be some of the most inspired, and inspiring music from any of them. I have listened to this CD time and time again since it first came out (I literally buy everything that Mark O'Connor records on the day it is released.) and never tire of a single note. JUST BUY IT!

One recommendation to anyone who has not had the opportunity to see Mark O'Connor perform live, in any setting - it will be one of the most amazing musical experiences of your life. I have seen him perform solo (fiddle, guitar and mandolin)several times and with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra once, and each performance was among the greatest I will ever experience.

i found this cd and got it cause i like bluegrass music and the title stood out. this cd has totally turned me on to Edgar Meyer's music, all of which is absolutley beautiful. i'm so glad i found out about this guy. his other cd's are just as good if not better than this one. the music on this cd is very calming and soulful, the kids i babysitt for even like it! they especially like "Butterfly's Day Out", it's a fun song. Letting them listen to this cd has helped me keep them from sitting in front of the tv for hours and hours. You should also go sample Edgar Meyer's cds "Uncommon Ritual", and "Short Trip Home" they are awsome.

A hybrid of classical, folk, bluegrass, celtic and world music, played by three of the most gifted musicians in the world. From the elegant melodic quality of "Butterfly's Day Out" to the rhythmic "Mama" to the haunting beauty of "Appalachia Waltz" and "Star of the County Down," this collaborative endeavor reaps the rewards of the creativity and brilliance of the players.

One thing an earlier reviewer missed: though O'Connor and Meyer (an incredible composer, by the way) wrote the tunes, Yo-Yo Ma is credited with an equal by-line because of the collaborative nature of the arrangements. It's his virtuosity as a soloist and his tasteful elegance as an accompanist that makes this album such an exceptional treasure.

Very rarely does one get the chance to hear a musical style so unique and yet so enjoyable as on the Appalachia Waltz. Some music just takes you to another place, and this CD is definitely filled with that very style of music. The title track especially moves the heart, as do many of the other tracks. The blend of classical instruments and technique to a truly heart-of-America style of music is a treat, and well-worth listening to again and again. Probably one of the best CDs to come out in the last twenty years.

True enough, this is a hybrid album, meshing together the talents of diverse performers and the sounds of diverse musical origins. I find this album perfect for a listener who, like me, is picky about the quality of music they listen to, but is not picky about style.

That said, the album is entrancing and calls to mind calm days -- whether they be warm spring days or chilly winter days in front of the fireplace -- and it cannot be denied that it is performed immaculately by the musicians.

If you think this is just another collection of roots music, remakes of folk standards, you would be wrong. This is innovative stuff. Meyer's bass playing is wonderful, stretching limits and crossing the boundaries between classical and folk. The three musicians create such textures and rhythms with their playing, you would swear there was a rhythm track behind them until you realize, it is just a bass, a cello, and a fiddle (for most songs). What's more, I personally have always felt that the traditional string quartet--2 violins, 1 viola, and 1 cello--is too heavy on the treble side of the scale. The combo on this album is much more my style--more bass and deep, resonant tones. Beautiful.

Although classical music evolved from folk music many centuries ago, it is so far removed from its ancestor now that the idea of bringing the two together seems incredible. This album achieves that, blending folk music (of the Celtic variety) with classical music to produce something that traditionalists will be horrified at, but which those of us with broad minds can appreciate.

Yo-Yo Ma (cello) and Edgar Meyer (double bass) were already established classical musicians when they teamed up with Mark O'Connor. Mark's background was very different from theirs - he grew up with an interest in Texas fiddle music, later becoming a top Nashville session musician. Mark's name could be found in the list of credits of hundreds of country music albums released in the eighties. Such was his reputation that Mark could have spent the rest of his working life making a good living that way, but he wanted to make an impact with his own music. He certainly achieved that with this album, where he usually plays the fiddle but he plays the violin (same instrument with a different playing technique) on two tracks and the mandolin (different instrument) on another.

This album is entirely instrumental (the sequel, Appalachian journey, which I've already reviewed, contains some vocals provided by guest singers) and the tunes are either traditional (usually of Irish origin) or composed by members of the trio.

The music on this album and Appalachian journey is very different from anything else I've come across. Of the two, I slightly prefer Appalachian journey, but that may be because it has more of a country influence. Nevertheless, both of them are masterpieces that have a special place in my CD collection.

I am shallow, and don't generally listen to classical music, but I love this CD. I listen to it all the time even though I've owned it for two years. The songs make you truly feel like time has stopped, and nature is moving along with the music. Sound crazy? Listen and you'll agree.