Dromedary
"Live from the Make Believe" CD
Dromedary
Music
Genres: instrumental, folk, klezmer
Solponticello
website
Sep 15 - 21 2003 |
Live
from the Make Believe, a (you're not going to believe this!) live
album, could be even better than Dromedary's last studio
record, Artifact. Sure, a lot of this album's songs are covers
and traditional tunes, but that's all part of the fun. A wide array of
tunes are converted into folky guitar-and-string instrumentals by the
band, including everything from a French Canadian-originated Ukrainian
stomp to Radiohead's "Airbag." Five originals by Rob
McMaken and Andrew Reissiger (Dromedary's
songwriting core) are also included, and they stand up well to the
other material.
This is a fantastic album for enthusiasts of instrumental guitar
arrangements. Klezmer, folk, and pop are all tapped for this disc's
twelve tracks. Especially strong are versions of Carlos Paredes'
"Melodia" and traditional North American gospel tune
"Wayfaring Stranger", which come off as simply moving
through McMaken and Reissinger's beautiful renditions.
Strong Dromedary originals include the rugged
"Cassiopeia's Dance" and dark number "Four Camels
Waltzing".
Extremely listenable and infinitely rewarding, Dromedary's Live
from the Make Believe is an album that can be enjoyed by anyone.
Despite the instrumental nature of the songs, there is enough melody
and class on this disc to please even the most impatient listener.
Very strongly recommended.
89%
Matt Shimmer
[Vitals: 12 tracks, distributed by the
artists, released 2003] |