MARK VICKNESS - Interconnected
Label: Independent - markvickness.com
Mark Vickness-guitars; Mads Tolling-violin; Joseph Hebert-cello; Dan Feiszli-bass; Ty Burhoe-tabla
Interconnected was recorded, engineered and mixed by Dan Feiszli at his studio in El Cerrito, CA and at 25th Street Recording in Oakland, CA. The CD was mastered by Reuben Cohen at Lurssen Mastering, Burbank, CA. The CD cover art and design was done by Mateo Mok.
Mark Vickness ( The Turtle Island String Quartet, Glass House) the multi-instrumentalist, composer and conductor has released ' Interconnected' three years after his debut solo CD, 'Places', and features four new solo modern fingerstyle compositions and four original pieces with his new Interconnected ensemble comprising two time Grammy winning violinist, Mads Tolling (The Who, Chick Corea, Ramsey Lewis, Paquito D'Rivera), cellist Joseph Hebert (Carlos Santana, Stevie Wonder, Tower of Power and Ray Charles), upright and electric bassist Dan Feiszli (James Moody, Raul Midon, Mickey Hart, Julio Iglesias, Nicole Yarling and Raul DiBlasio), and tabla virtuoso, Ty Burhoe (Zakir Hussain, Art Lande, Bela Fleck, Walter Becker (Steely Dan), Mamadou Diabate, Kitaro, Jon Anderson (Yes).
About the unique musical approach, Vickness says "The ensemble is a perfect vehicle for connecting different styles, eras and cultures." The music is intended to express the interconnectedness of humanity, and of all things, through the universal language of music with material born of deep reflection on the inner workings of life; childhood traumas, modern struggle, simple joys, profound sadness, lived wisdom and the joy of awareness.
Vickness comments, "The music on this recording is intended to convey interconnectedness, the reality that we live in an interconnected, interdependent world, that we are all one human race. Instrumental music is an ideal means of expressing this because it is a universal language. This ensemble is comprised of musicians who are capable of a wide range of styles from different cultures and different eras. I worked hard to write this music with interconnectedness in mind, within each piece individually and in the relationships between the pieces themselves. Some of the pieces come from a deeply personal place. 'For Every Child' was written for every person who has either experienced or known someone who has gone through the trauma of losing their innocence to childhood sexual abuse as I did before age ten. 'One Day Over A Thousand' is dedicated to all those who lost their lives to Covid-19, and to my dear friend Holli Ross, who died while this piece was being written."
'Interwoven' opens the album and is a beautiful, atmospheric piece which has sequestered within it a hidden peace, underpinned by the expressive, delicate fingerstyle technique of the guitar. The piece has rhythmic changes and tempo modulations which add empathetic overtones and the percussive elements weave into the sounds energy and resonance over the deep bowed 'cello. There are some heady places where the rhythm is held back before the re-entry of the strings, which has the effect of an exhalation, a release. 'Grey Skye' is profoundly touching and the guitar chords and the over-arching melodic lines provide texture and layers. The percussive lines add alternating rhythmic interludes and a character which is engaging.' Hot Apple Stuff' (Studio Version) is a piece which develops and evolves into a folksy, lilting number, with violin singing across the top over steadfast, rhythmic guitar and later the bowed 'cello which oozes depths which gives way to a glorious emerging violin singing again as it rises over the top. The break and final section are well worked and the piece is immersive and charming.
'Bodega Blue' is a powerful piece with well worked blues intonations and rhythms from the quartet and shows a variation of both style and interpretation from the group, who do a blues pretty fine, whilst ' 6 in 7' has at times a Celtic feel and is a musical landscape full of wonders and changing violin melodic rhythms over a steady bass like a pipe drone before it develops into a rich uplifting thematic number. The tabla and string solo work to infuse an apposite Eastern influence at times. ' Mia Lucia' opens with 3 notes which are echoed by the guitar before the 10 note theme is established which returns throughout the number. Over this, the strings and tabla present different rhythms, the percussive elements contrasting with the progressions of the strings. The table rhythms reflect those of the melody and pauses are used well in this number to add to the mood and development. 'For Every Child' is a number which is more effective given the explanation its composition and there is a longing and emotional influence here, especially when the violin sings across the top. A beautifully poignant piece, aided particularly when the violin holds, the guitar swells and there is a pervading calm imbued by the 'cello and bass.
'Hot Apple Stuff' ( Live Version) is infused with energy and a depth which indicates the intuition between the players, topped by particularly vibrant tabla rhythms whilst the closing piece, ' One Day Over a Thousand' is an adventurous and dynamic piece, comprising fluid yet intricate guitar lines.
Throughout the recording there is a strong sense of the dialect and expression of music. The quartet paint sonic landscapes, coloured by changes in textures and rhythm, with the tabla adding delicate touches at times and at others a rhythmic counter point to add contrast and depth. There is, as was the intent, an association between the numbers and the essences of beauty, peace and interconnection between the players and the listener. It is an album of atmospheres, one to savour in moments of quietude and mindful listening.
Reviewed by Sammy Stein
Label: Independent - markvickness.com
Mark Vickness-guitars; Mads Tolling-violin; Joseph Hebert-cello; Dan Feiszli-bass; Ty Burhoe-tabla
Interconnected was recorded, engineered and mixed by Dan Feiszli at his studio in El Cerrito, CA and at 25th Street Recording in Oakland, CA. The CD was mastered by Reuben Cohen at Lurssen Mastering, Burbank, CA. The CD cover art and design was done by Mateo Mok.
Mark Vickness ( The Turtle Island String Quartet, Glass House) the multi-instrumentalist, composer and conductor has released ' Interconnected' three years after his debut solo CD, 'Places', and features four new solo modern fingerstyle compositions and four original pieces with his new Interconnected ensemble comprising two time Grammy winning violinist, Mads Tolling (The Who, Chick Corea, Ramsey Lewis, Paquito D'Rivera), cellist Joseph Hebert (Carlos Santana, Stevie Wonder, Tower of Power and Ray Charles), upright and electric bassist Dan Feiszli (James Moody, Raul Midon, Mickey Hart, Julio Iglesias, Nicole Yarling and Raul DiBlasio), and tabla virtuoso, Ty Burhoe (Zakir Hussain, Art Lande, Bela Fleck, Walter Becker (Steely Dan), Mamadou Diabate, Kitaro, Jon Anderson (Yes).
About the unique musical approach, Vickness says "The ensemble is a perfect vehicle for connecting different styles, eras and cultures." The music is intended to express the interconnectedness of humanity, and of all things, through the universal language of music with material born of deep reflection on the inner workings of life; childhood traumas, modern struggle, simple joys, profound sadness, lived wisdom and the joy of awareness.
Vickness comments, "The music on this recording is intended to convey interconnectedness, the reality that we live in an interconnected, interdependent world, that we are all one human race. Instrumental music is an ideal means of expressing this because it is a universal language. This ensemble is comprised of musicians who are capable of a wide range of styles from different cultures and different eras. I worked hard to write this music with interconnectedness in mind, within each piece individually and in the relationships between the pieces themselves. Some of the pieces come from a deeply personal place. 'For Every Child' was written for every person who has either experienced or known someone who has gone through the trauma of losing their innocence to childhood sexual abuse as I did before age ten. 'One Day Over A Thousand' is dedicated to all those who lost their lives to Covid-19, and to my dear friend Holli Ross, who died while this piece was being written."
'Interwoven' opens the album and is a beautiful, atmospheric piece which has sequestered within it a hidden peace, underpinned by the expressive, delicate fingerstyle technique of the guitar. The piece has rhythmic changes and tempo modulations which add empathetic overtones and the percussive elements weave into the sounds energy and resonance over the deep bowed 'cello. There are some heady places where the rhythm is held back before the re-entry of the strings, which has the effect of an exhalation, a release. 'Grey Skye' is profoundly touching and the guitar chords and the over-arching melodic lines provide texture and layers. The percussive lines add alternating rhythmic interludes and a character which is engaging.' Hot Apple Stuff' (Studio Version) is a piece which develops and evolves into a folksy, lilting number, with violin singing across the top over steadfast, rhythmic guitar and later the bowed 'cello which oozes depths which gives way to a glorious emerging violin singing again as it rises over the top. The break and final section are well worked and the piece is immersive and charming.
'Bodega Blue' is a powerful piece with well worked blues intonations and rhythms from the quartet and shows a variation of both style and interpretation from the group, who do a blues pretty fine, whilst ' 6 in 7' has at times a Celtic feel and is a musical landscape full of wonders and changing violin melodic rhythms over a steady bass like a pipe drone before it develops into a rich uplifting thematic number. The tabla and string solo work to infuse an apposite Eastern influence at times. ' Mia Lucia' opens with 3 notes which are echoed by the guitar before the 10 note theme is established which returns throughout the number. Over this, the strings and tabla present different rhythms, the percussive elements contrasting with the progressions of the strings. The table rhythms reflect those of the melody and pauses are used well in this number to add to the mood and development. 'For Every Child' is a number which is more effective given the explanation its composition and there is a longing and emotional influence here, especially when the violin sings across the top. A beautifully poignant piece, aided particularly when the violin holds, the guitar swells and there is a pervading calm imbued by the 'cello and bass.
'Hot Apple Stuff' ( Live Version) is infused with energy and a depth which indicates the intuition between the players, topped by particularly vibrant tabla rhythms whilst the closing piece, ' One Day Over a Thousand' is an adventurous and dynamic piece, comprising fluid yet intricate guitar lines.
Throughout the recording there is a strong sense of the dialect and expression of music. The quartet paint sonic landscapes, coloured by changes in textures and rhythm, with the tabla adding delicate touches at times and at others a rhythmic counter point to add contrast and depth. There is, as was the intent, an association between the numbers and the essences of beauty, peace and interconnection between the players and the listener. It is an album of atmospheres, one to savour in moments of quietude and mindful listening.
Reviewed by Sammy Stein
