To Thread - Forum Home

The Mudcat Café TM
https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=66847
9 messages

Creaking Tree String Quartet

09 Feb 04 - 08:10 AM (#1112427)
Subject: Creaking Tree String Quartet
From: black walnut

Guitar + Bass + Fiddle + Mandolin = the Creaking Tree String Quartet.
I went to hear them last night for the first time. Astounding! Each player is a master of his instrument (I can't say I've ever heard better fiddle playing in my lifetime), and they listen to each other with ease, playing in a style with no name. Not what I'd call 'easy' listening - it's pretty deep and intelligent - but full of nuances and rhythm and jazzy and bluegrassy and definitely engaging. Do give them a listen: http://www.creakingtree.com.

~black walnut


09 Feb 04 - 11:12 AM (#1112570)
Subject: RE: Creaking Tree String Quartet
From: Mooh

They made a stop at the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival in 2003. Very good live act! Bought the cd and play it often. Highly recommended.

Mooh.


10 Feb 04 - 07:44 AM (#1113192)
Subject: RE: Creaking Tree String Quartet
From: black walnut

Now you see, I wouldn't have pegged them as having Celtic Roots. That's kind of surprising to me.

They aren't much for taking on stage, or embellishing with stories - just the music, but what music! Unless they were different and chatted more when you saw them in Goderich, Mooh?

~b.w.


10 Feb 04 - 10:45 AM (#1113346)
Subject: RE: Creaking Tree String Quartet
From: Mooh

Nope, they hardly spoke but a few words on stage, which suits me fine, all the more music. Celtic Roots? It's a stretch, but all music is derivative, and these guys were just too good to not book as I understand the mind of the artistic directors. They were a hit, and for what it's worth, a damn sight better than yet another rendering of The Fields of Athenry or some such.

Buy the cd folks, it's a gem.

Peace, Mooh.


10 Feb 04 - 10:51 AM (#1113355)
Subject: RE: Creaking Tree String Quartet
From: Uncle_DaveO

Black Walnut, I used your link, went to their site.   I couldn't find anywhere to play samples. Am I overlooking something obvious?

Dave Oesterreich


10 Feb 04 - 10:56 AM (#1113363)
Subject: RE: Creaking Tree String Quartet
From: GUEST,ClaireBear

There are some "Listen" links on the "Album" page.


10 Feb 04 - 11:14 AM (#1113381)
Subject: RE: Creaking Tree String Quartet
From: Arnie Naiman

As a tradtional music enthusiast, I find that I lack the patience or desire to listen to this band for very long. I find that their mood is too down and jazz oriented to grab my attention somehow. However, I really admire these musicians for their great talent, creativity and technical playing ability. John Showman (who played blazing fiddle on my Banjo CD) is perhaps one of the most outstanding elite players I have ever heard or seen around here, and Andrew Collins who has been friends with Chris Coole since childhood, continues to improve and astonish me with his playing every time I hear him. I know these guys are going places and we'll be hearing a lot more from them.


10 Feb 04 - 11:23 AM (#1113392)
Subject: RE: Creaking Tree String Quartet
From: Pied Piper

The name gave me a disturbing image of them wearing KKK gear.
PP


10 Feb 04 - 06:23 PM (#1113621)
Subject: RE: Creaking Tree String Quartet
From: black walnut

Ouch PP!

No - they perform in jeans and touques and baseball caps...well anyway, the name makes me think of a maple tree after good Canadian icestorm.

~b.w.