Urban Excentrics – Faux Naturelle

Urban eXcentrics use bowed bass lines, jazzy guitar chords, traditional instruments and contemporary arrangements to highlight their material – both original and borrowed.

Ann Palumbo studied double bass and guitar at the WA Conservatorium, performing orchestrally while embracing contemporary music. She has a strong background in traditional folk music derived from her Liverpool Irish heritage. She is primary vocalist and also brings mandolin, foot tambourine and arranging skills to the band.

Guitarist and occasional vocalist Larry Hoofs (Honky Tonkin’ Voodoo Essendon Larry D Shankar) has no trouble changing from delicate acoustic finger picking to driving rhythm guitar to creative guitar or citern solo. Larry developed his skills playing in rock and reggae bands in Melbourne and Perth. His wry vocal delivery and incisive lyrics counterpoint Ann’s impassioned melodies.

Paul Laszlo joined the band as a double bass player and has since rekindled an old love affair with the banjo. He now freelances orchestrally – mostly as principal bass – with local and touring orchestras, as well as jazz and rock outfits and also as that rarest of beasts, a reading banjologist. His orchestral approach complements the eclectic mix of musical diversity and brings an added dimension to the band.

Urban Excentrics – Faux Naturelle
Review by John Williams

Urban Excentrics is made up of three very talented musicians (with some additional helpers) who have a collective experience ranging from the movie ‘Moulin Rouge’ soundtrack to the Sydney Olympics Opening Ceremony with a bit of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra thrown in.
I had a lot of pleasure reviewing this very easy to listen to CD.
The CD is a mixture of French songs with a bit of Jazz thrown in and some of their own compositions as well.
They have also included wonderful creative versions of old classics such as “Jalousie” and “Summertime” as well as works by Django Reinhart and Dave Brubeck, amongst others.
Their treatment of Reinhart’s “Nuages” is really pleasant to listen to.
I enjoyed “Libertango” very much, the bass playing on this track is intriguing.
The track “Alone” is haunting.
Dave Brubeck’s “Blue Rondo” shows great musicianship.
I liked this CD at the first listening and have found it really grows on you with further playing.
I find it very relaxing after a hard day’s work.
The vocals are easy on the ear and the soft strings complement them well.
I really enjoyed this CD and I think you will too.
I can recommend it without any reservations.