Introducing Cello, the second solo recording by longtime Gourd cellist and producer Barry Phillips.
Cello’s expansive soundscape features traditional and contemporary cello solos, duos, and trios gleaned from traditions around the globe and from eight centuries of music. The 15 tracks present instrumentation and arrangements of melodies from Western and Eastern Europe, Scandinavia and North America.
Phillips has recently been touring with and arranging for sitar legend Ravi Shankar. This influence is heard on his new recording as Phillips blends the sounds of harmonium, tabla and tanpura with traditional Celtic tunes and instrumentation. Album Description
 |  | great for massage therapy, intellectually satisfying |  |
I have used this album while giving dozens of massages. Soothing to the recipient and interesting enough so the therapist won't fall asleep. Nice variety of the very soft and slow to tunes with "early music" percussion. The fact that the music is ancient, allows people to relax even during more spirited tunes. I like the seven beats per measure in one tune and another that does added measures. I am a fan of early music (john dowland, julian bream consort), traditional irish music (john doyle, kevin burke and ged foley), and new age (deva premal, anugama, music for airports by brian eno)
June 15, 2008| | | Wonderfully resonant, playful cello music! | |
Another great recording from Gourd music, "Cello" features Celtic, medieval and traditional European tunes arranged for cello and a host of other acoustic instruments too numerous to mention. I just love this CD, especially when played on a stereo system with a good bass! I've said it before and I'll say it again: there's something about the deep, rich tones of a cello that centers my body and awakens my soul, and I'm always glad to hear cellists breaking out of their customary role as accompanists and really strutting their stuff. On this album, Barry Phillips wanders far and wide, exploring musical traditions through the centuries and across the Old World, and creating clever, engaging arrangements that vary in flavor from traditional and "modern" classical to New Age and world fusion. Often the cello takes the lead, but just as frequently, Phillips is happy to switch off with one or more of his guest artists, transitioning easily from melody to harmony to accompaniment and back again. This jaunty, sonorous music is sure to be enjoyed by everyone, but musicians will especially appreciate it for its seemingly effortless complexity of texture, rhythm and line. In addition to performing cello, Phillips also plays cittern (a Renaissance strummed instrument with metal strings), harmonium, pipe organ, dilruba (a bowed, broad-necked lute from India), tanpura (a Near Eastern lute), zither and percussion. Joining him on what seems to be, in part, a family outing, are Shelley Phillips on oboe, English horn, whistle and harp, Nathan Phillips on guitar, and Todd Phillips on bass. Also joining the party are early music expert Shira Kammen on vielle and violin, Jared White on Scottish smallpipes and recorder, Lars Johannesson on flute, Theo Paige on fiddle, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh on low whistle, Bikram Ghos on tabla, Martin Simpson on guitar, Neal Hellman on mountain dulcimer, Chris Caswell on bodhran, tar and tambourine, Harris Moore on hammered dulcimer, and Karuna Ault on tanpura. The prolific Barry and Shelley Phillips can be heard together on many other recordings, including "The Crooked Road" by frequent collaborator William Coulter , "Celtic and Contemporary Music" by Orison, and the releases of Aine Minogue. For more great cello music, try also "Cello Blue" by David Darling, "Eastern Twin" by Martin Tillman, and "Spirit and Light" by Rasa cellist Hans Christian.
September 30, 2006This brilliant CD is a collage of music from all over the world. When people pick up this album I think they may be expecting something with more of a Classical flare, but in fact Barry is known for his gifts as an interpreter of world music as well as an arranger/composer. Little Known Barry Facts: #1, He's a student of legendary sitarist Ravi Shankar, and played in Ravi's orchestra at the Concert for George. #2, Barry's first instrument was the drums, and he had a rock band at age ten. #3, His cello features a carving of a lion's head that looks uncannily similar to Teddy Rosevelt. #4, Barry has a degree in composition and has written chamber music inspired by 'Frog and Toad'. #5, He arranged a version of 'Purple Haze' for three cellos and performed it at a Celtic camp ceilidh. Anyway, the trivia could go on forever. I hope you enjoy this wonderful CD!!!
February 3, 2004| | | Carefully chosen melodies beautifully played | |
On this CD Barry Phillips has assembled a collection of compelling melodies from a whole range of traditions. The tunes are predominately Celtic, but there are also some lovely Shaker melodies and music from Sweden and Spain. The arrangements are wonderful - original combinations of acoustic instruments including zither, tanpura, oboe, cittern, fiddle and of course cello. It's not for strict traditionalists, but any fan of acoustic music would find this worth a listen.
February 8, 2002 | | Celtic classics with a twist | |
Barry provides a really excellent album. If you're looking for pure cello music with only mild accompaniment, you're probably looking in the wrong place, but this is pretty good. The songs reminisce of other things i've heard from other Celtic artists, but that may just mean that the composer is providing different renditions. It's a relaxing set of songs that will provide lots of enjoyment if you like Celtic music, particularly strings. But if you want more in-depth Cello music, look elsewhere.
October 25, 2001More reviews at Amazon.com ...
