Ric Sanders Group - Parable
Improvised pieces have the inbuilt possibility that while they are extremely clever, they are almost impossible to listen to, but that is not the case with this album. The more I have played it, the more I got out of it. Yes there are atonal passages but these act to reinvigorate the interest. The tone on the violin is just beautiful, and there is a restrained majesty throughout this album. The three have known each other for many years, and the understanding between them is obvious. Vo and Ric swap lead melody roles, all of the time working in unison to produce music that is even more remarkable for not being rehearsed.
Listen to this album in the quiet of the night and you will be richly rewarded - this is a wonderful album. It may not rock, but there is something extremely spiritual and uplifting about this listening experience. I felt deeply moved while playing it, something that rarely happens.
Ric Sanders Group in Lincoln Cathedral
How do you like your Fiddle music? On a CD? As an MPG video that you can hear and watch on your computer? As a DTS data stream that you can play on your DVD? Or maybe as a Binaural experience? However if you would like to experience all of this and have Ric Sanders playing fiddle then you are in for a real treat. Ric has recorded a new album along with Vo Fletcher on guitar and Michael Gregory on drums and percussion. The album is called, Ric Sanders Group in Lincoln Cathedral and is on Heliopause Records HPV101CD.
This is a two CD set. CD1 contains 10 tracks in standard CD format. CD2 contains the MPG Video, the DVD section and a Binaural section. Binaural sound is a complete 3D surround sound experience and requires that you listen on headphones to appreciate the amazing sound.
The 10 tracks show Ric at his most comfortable, playing his own music and his arrangements of the music that has inspired him over the years. The basic 'tunes' range from such diverse sources as Jimi Hendrix's 'Little Wing' to George Harrison's 'Life Itself' to Miles Davis 'It's about that time' and Chick Corea's 'Crystal Silence' to Ric's own compositions and new arrangements of 'The Rosehip' and 'Remembrance Day'. His style of playing encompasses Jazz, Folk and Rock. Do not be put off by the word Jazz. It is all very accessible and above all brilliantly played. Ric's amazing playing style varies from slow, precise classical playing to the brilliant harmonics that he finds and then heavier rock or intricate folk style. As another review of this album said, 'It is exquisite'. It is.
Accompanying Ric is Vo Fletcher on guitar. Vo has played guitar with Ric over many years and they work very well together. His sympathetic playing and the conversations between guitar and violin are beautifully arranged. Having just seen them play live I can easily see why it works so well. Vo really enjoys his work and it shows on stage and comes over on the CD. Michael Gregory, another long time partner of Ric provides percussion again very sympathetically. Percussionists have such a large bag of additional sounds to work with that it requires good control not to overdo it. Michael creates a very well balanced backing punctuated by good use of percussion.
The album was recorded live inside Lincoln Cathedral so the natural reverb sounds are there with notes wafting around the vast vaulted ceilings. As an added bonus, Rick Wakeman who, having just recorded his own album, stayed on to play piano on 'Little Wing' with them. Describing music in words is so difficult because you have to use words! Both Fiddle music and Jazz are two words that can put off some people. Don't be, you will love it. This is truly a superb CD.
Andy Holliman
http://www.electricstrings.com