Customer Reviews

One Cello X 16: Natoma

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Like the first reviewer, I bought the CD after seeing her play live (opening for the California Guitar Trio). (I've bought it again since to give as a gift.) I think if I hadn't seen her "do" her stuff live I would have believed it to be studio trickery. She begins with a few short passages that she records to individual tracks on a sampler on the floor which she controls with her foot. Rhythms, bass lines, basic structures. She starts them looping, and she then plays melodies and harmonies that soar and dance over the recorded layers. The repeated looping passages brought to mind Frippertronics and even Philip Glass, but the cello has a warmth that makes the sound more intimate, more human-scale somehow. She played some pieces in the show that are not on this disc, so I hope there are more recordings to come. If she ever comes to play at a town near you, go see her!

A few months ago, a friend of mine suggested we go see Imojean Heap play at a local club in my hometown of Nashville. Having nothing else better to do that night, I tagged along to see what all the fuss was about, as she really had gotten herself excited to see this artist. Though I can't remember the name of the guitarist who played first, I do not think I will ever forget the moment Zoe Keating stepped onto the stage. I had seen cellists in this kind of setting before, the music they played never really impressed me. So when she sat down in her chair and started fiddling with her samplers, I figured I was in for a rough half hour. Then she started playing "sun will set," whose bright melody and rich harmonies quickly got me interested in the music. She also quickly impressed me with the way she kept everything in sync so well while recording the samples _live_. When she finished the song, I found myself eagerly wanting more.

And then she started playing "fern."

I don't think that I can describe to you all here how sublime a piece of music "fern" is. So much expressiveness comes out through her playing, and the tension developed during the course of the song holds one spellbound. Indeed, my mouth hung wide open throughout the piece: eight straight minutes!! I can't remember much of the concert after she had finished playing "fern." All I remember is listening to it again and again in my head. After the concert had finished, I made straight for the little display where I impulse-bought her album, "Natoma." I simply couldn't leave the club without it. While waiting for the traffic to die down in the car, we put it in the stereo and let ourselves be immersed. "Legions (war)" is a very beat driven work that seems to be taken out right out of the Scottish highlands (By the way, she uses the cello to make all percussion sounds. This includes tapping the bridge). Frankly, "Legions (war)" and "fern" are enough to make the album worth buying. Actually, in my view, "fern" is enough to make the album worth buying. But the rest of the album has quality material, also. The only track that does not personally thrill me is "legions (aftermath)." Hearing all of the vibrato in the cello strings (the track is slowed down to one-fifth of the original speed) does more to annoy me than anything else. But aside from that, this album has given Zoe Keating's solo career a remarkable start, and I cannot wait to see what she will create for us next.

I had no idea Keating did her own loops to create this music. Her technique gives her music an interesting, multi-layered texture that is both unique and beautiful. I am a huge classical music fan (particularly liking the cello) as well as a huge fan of alternative music, and this CD struck a chord in both categories for me. I could rhapsodize about various tracks, but instead I would recommend that you discover Keating's music on your own. I'm sure the experience will be worthwhile.

I stumbled across this CD almost on accident - I'm a big fan of the "cello electronica" by other musicians like Caroline Lavelle's Brilliant Midnight 2.0 and figured that I'd give this a chance. I wasn't sure what to expect - a pretty tall woman who doesn't look like the traditional cello players we're all used to seeing in formalwear.

From the moment Legions (War) starts, you're treated to a rather unusual but delightful journey that almost encompasses the improvisations of jazz and the beats and loops you associate with electronica. The production value is deceptive - the moment you listen to any of Keating's songs, you're thinking that this is processed galore but it's not. It's one woman, with a laptop and that's what makes this standout.

The album takes you on an interesting journey, from Legion's (War) almost Braveheartesque march to battle to haunting songs to absolute joy. And for someone who is a self-professed nerd, Zoe Keating sheds all that and makes a more ambitious and original album than the entire Top 100 on Amazon combined.

If you want to try a new album, this is definitely one to get. I can't say enough good things about it.

After hearing some short clips of this album, I ordered it, and have not regretted it. Very unique listening experience - turn up your bass, and enjoy some rich, satisfying music - as pure as a cello can be. I initially thought the layering concept of one instrument would be quite limiting, and perhaps monotonous, but instead is quite complex. For a very satisfying change of pace, try this one out. You'll not be disappointed.

If you look at the date of my review you will see that I came to this CD much later than others who reviewed the album here - and there are plenty of other reviews - nearly all ecstatic. I have to say that really enjoyed this album though I'm not a huge fan of the cello - unless it's Yo-Yo Ma expanding his musical horizons. And "expanding the horizons" of the cello is what Zoe Keating is doing here. Using electronic recorded "looping" she layers her performances on one another to create the should of a "cello octet times two".

These are new compositions and fall between "new age" and "experimental", not unlike groups like Ethel, Kronos Quartet and the Turtle Island String Quartet. With one exception all the pieces last about seven minutes so - in a few cases - they can get repetitive. But if you like the groups I mentioned above, you'll most certainly like this album. And - as one reviewer said (after she saw Keating play live), this is a performer you probably will appreciate even more in person.

Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"

Bought this album while searching for unaccompanied cello music. I listened to the entire album in one sitting because I couldn't stop. The depth and the motion that she put into the songs just blows me away. I cannot get enough of this album and hope that she releases another.

Dear GOD, this is a great album. Every piece is choice. Every note is perfect. The sounds she makes with her strings are mind boggling. Read this, my mind is boggled. Awdbfbwqiuwiwjikdsfbjf! I gave this album away, because I love it, but I have a station devoted to her works and similar artists. If you like classical, postrock, chamber rock, elfman, P.Glass, anything along those lines, even if you like apocalyptica, then get this album. Actually, I think I discovered it on a mogwai station. Agg, just get the dang album.

The music produced here seems to have a modern feel and hearken back to classic cello in equal parts, and the results are haunting and beautiful. The scope of emotions covered by the cello here are amazing, from sorrow, to what feels like an impending march to war, the entire gamut is covered here, and with a style the resonates with the modern. Its a perfect album to remind people that there are instruments other than guitar, drums, and bass.

Zoe has made excellent use of electronics and a conventional instrument to produce a very pleasing (to my ears) CD. Nothing is overused and the instrument is the focus throughout rather than the "glitzy - look at what I can do" penchant that some other musicians have with electronics. It's not Bach, so don't look for that here. She's quite original in this recording.