Customer Reviews

Ethel

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After hearing these guys on Weekend Edition I rushed out to the store and grabbed this. It's one of the most exciting discs I've heard all year. They were saying on the interview that they're not like Kronos - and they're not! They've got so much soul, spirit, and energy - the sounds on this disc range from blues and jazz-influenced to more "classically" oriented pieces that show off their chops. Don't miss this one!

I also saw this high-powered quartet opening for Joe Jackson & Todd Rundgren. Joe and Todd were brilliant to bring Ethel on their tour. What an astonishing pleasure it must have been for Todd and Joe to hear a few of their songs arranged like that. (The two stars were far from upstaged, in my opinion; performing with Ethel shows their confidence and care for their audience, and the tone was set from the first note for a magically enchanted show.) One of the guys in Ethel described themselves as "classical musicians gone horribly wrong," which may be true enough in a symphony hall, but in a rock concert venue they've gone 360 degrees RIGHT, starting with classical and spiralling through the rock landscape to end at a place that transcends both.

Mary Rowell, the cello player, embodies the Jackie du Pré school of performance (as seen in the movie "Hilary and Jackie"); they all do, actually, with full-body performances that allow them to inject energy and vitality into their fusion-influenced sounds.

They're doing for classical what Gram Parsons did for country music: bringing in a rock-and-roll sensibility that reinvigorates both genres.

The newest music being written these days obliterates the notions of "genre" that have been at the heart of the recording industry for decades, encouraging us to view "Pop," "Jazz," "Folk," and "Classical" as separate realms, with occasional "cross-overs" (i.e. Andrea Bocelli). But those categories only exist in the realm of the industry, not in the work being written today by people like Evan Ziporyn, Phil Kline, and John King. This music doesn't just cross over: it blows up the wall that separates high art pretense from musical pleasure. The tunes here are smart, but as listenable as anything in the pop bins (and more so than a lot of pop out there). To put it simply, Ethel rocks: these four can play anything! If Kronos opened a door to welcome the string quartet into the 21st century, Ethel has gone through that door, and is pickin' and grinnin' on the front porch. Not one dull moment, and how many New Music recordings can you make THAT claim for?

I have been listening to "Ethel" all afternoon and am in love with this CD. A recent review I read said that this music was "demanding" for the listener. I am not sure that I would agree. While this music is complex, it is so beautiful that I find it effortless to listen to. This music is playful, energetic and totally engaging; it is clearly a labor of love. One of the downfalls of some other modern music (at least to my ears) is an over intellectualization-sometimes it sounds as though the composer doesn't even know that they have a physical existence. None of that here. While Ethel doesn't ignore the mind, there is also a wonderful visceral quality to it. That quality is clearest on third track "Shuffle;" it would be more aptly named "Swagger." It walks into the room right from the groin! Even the more cerebral "Blue Room" is fully engaged and not just a mental exercise.

This music is one of the nicest surprises I have come across in a while.

I took my kids to their first concert tonight. I figured Joe Jackson and Todd Rundgren was as good a place as any to start my kids out. Well, quite frankly the star of this show was Ethel! First of all it was JJ and TR solo. Ethel opened the show and I had chills. When the other two came out and played all I could do was wish for more Ethel. So after wading through an hour of greatest hits unplugged, to my astonishment Ethel came back out and played with the to aging stars. This was the shinning moment of the show. The first song they played was George Harrison's "as my guitar gently weeps". Let me tell you if George could of ever played his guitar the way the two vilonists played I might have actually listened to Harrison's music. It was beyond belief. The emotion and vibrance was second to none. I will be rushing to the music store at opening time to buy this CD. I have never had an expirence like this ever. I fear going to another show, because I am afraid I will be let down. Buy everything this quartet puts out...NOW!

First heard Ethel on NPR while driving in the car. I immediately turned around to hit my local record store, only to realize that it was daylight savings time and they hadn't yet opened. I convinced the guy to let me in early because I HAD to have this CD, and it's been in constant play for me ever since. The compositions are outstanding, and the musicianship is absolutely top-notch. I also just had the pleasure of seeing them perform live here in Portland last night. What an amazing experience. Thank you Ethel. Keep kickin out the jams. You rock!

My mom is the one who writes the grants for Ethel, so I'm constantly updated on this remarkable quartet. And they really are remarkable. They refuse to be labeled as Chamber music, because they really are not. They are something way above that. Electrified strings may sound a bit ridiculous, but the combined sound is intoxicating. Buy this album.

I saw Ethel with Joe Jackson and Todd Rundgren last night live at the Bardavon Opera House in Poughkeepsie, NY. If you get a chance to see them live - do so! Ethel is amazing to listen to, but to see them live adds the emotions and energy no recording can capture.

I recently was introduced to Ethel's music and the Grand Canyon Music Festival (2005) and purchased this CD there. WOW! Their sound is so unique and their energy is high. You have to see them live to really appreciate how wonderful this group is. They're not a stuffy string quartet, but a avant-garde ensemble who push the envelope and blur the lines between classical and contemporary.

After their performance at the festival, my sons and I met the band, including their newest member, Neil, who replaced Todd. I have to say how warm and generous each of these people are which totally complements their on-stage persona and performance. My son, age 14, spoke at length with Mary and Neil and he is now inspired to push his own musical skills to the next level.

Give this CD a try if you're looking for something new and exciting!

I was so lucky to see this "Ethel.who?..what?...", going to the Joe Jackson & Todd Nudgent concert in Paris in mid June 2005. They started with a Brazilian themed music that was simply amazing. Seriously, it almost brought tears to my eyes because it just made you feel inside "Why did I not become an artist a performer, these people have the courage and drive to fill their dreams with performances like this one". Ethel stole the show. They are up at a level...I see Grammys coming their way. Stunning !!!!!!!!!!!!simply stunning!!!!!! there's still greatness on earth ...