(Review by the Comeback Kid)
So here I am again, thankfully minus my gall bladder, reviewing a CD off my own bat or rather pen, if Lance Blogmaster allows it. And it’s not even a jazz CD as such, but it will be of interest to jazz fans, especially drummers and percussionists. The Lawnmowers Theatre Company is based in Gateshead and the organisation does an excellent job of working with people who have learning difficulties who do music and drama. I found out about this group during the Late Shows Weekend, which happens each Spring, when museums, libraries etc are open late to the public.
The CD, a bargain at £5 for 12 long tracks, is a wonderfully varied miscellany of music produced by the glass orchestra (tubes, sheets and domes of glass, giving out tinkles, tones, ethereal sounds); drums of many timbres, plus marimba, violin and vocal input on some tracks. The titles of the tunes are intriguing, such as Glass Eye; Jaws, Clarity.
The opening tune is Matthew’s Journey, with a voice describing an ordinary journey to Gateshead by bus, to the accompaniment of a glass walking rhythm, which I found both amusing and strangely moving. Jaws is an African drum piece and the voice on The Law Of Entrainment explains this musical law of rhythm which was laid down by a Dutch scientist in 1655. Samba Funk does what it says on the tin and Library Music Box consists of glass sounds with a voiceover listing shipping forecast areas, with drums and a repeated riff on the violin. A and R is all tribal drums and shouts and Tates Freilich features a Kletzmer violin. Other titles are Funk Masters; Maracatu and the oddly named final tune 10 Years Of Hair Growth.
Readers would be well advised to see these musicians in action if they are featured in the Late Shows next year as it’s a sheer delight to watch how the glass instruments are played. The performance is in Gateshead Old Town Hall, and there is also drama in mime, singing, breakdancing, and the evening is rounded off with a free finger buffet.
The CD was issued in 2015 and the Lawnmowers are available to perform at festivals and educational events.
Ann Alex
Aaron Moody, Adam Tait, Brendan Murphy, Claire Hills-Wilson, Dan Brunskill, David Champion, Debbie Bell, Graeme Thompson, Laura Baxendale, Matthew Dennis, Paul Armstrong, Robin Dunn, Scott Roe, Sophie Clarke (playing various glass instruments, drums, percussion, marimba, violin). With special thanks to Brendan Murphy, Rob Kitchen, World Beaters Music and Afro Reggae.
1 comment :
Brendan Murphy cane into our kids primary school to teach music. I can still remember Francis conducting a large ensemble of 10/11 year olds, so definitely an influence.
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