String Contingent, The – Self Titled

THE STRING CONTINGENT’S SELF TITLED DEBUT ALBUM MELDS THE RAW WILDERNESS OF SCOTTISH FOLK, THE ORGANIC DYNAMISM OF AMERICA’S BLUEGRASS AND THE REFINED ACOUSTIC SENSIBILITY OF THE CLASSICAL STRING TRIO. CHRIS STONE (VIOLIN), GRAHAM MCLEOD (GUITAR) AND HOLLY DOWNES (DOUBLE BASS) HAVE PRODUCED A COLLECTION OF ORIGINAL ACOUSTIC MUSIC THAT RETAINS THE SPONTANEITY OF FREE IMPROVISATION WITHIN THE STRUCTURALLY INTEGRATED ETHOS OF THE CHAMBER ENSEMBLE.

The String Contingent
CD review by Chris Spencer
This acoustic trio consist of two Australians, Chris Stone (on violin), Holly Downes (double bass) and Scottish guitarist, Graham McLeon. All of the 8 songs were written by members of the band, while the only vocals on the CD, on the track “The Blue Mando”, are provided by Lucy Wise, although she does not sing words, she sings and could easily be mistaken for another instrument! The CD starts off with “King Offa” which is a fairly rousing affair, while “Dialogic” begins quietly, being a bit more subdued as each instrument gradually leads into the next. “Lucy’s Boogie” has a lovely melody about halfway through. “Good Grief” has a similar melodic structure, although I found that the trio’s classical tendencies overshadowed its folky-ness on this track. Track 5, “Ictus” is one of the most arresting tracks and has been garnering many comments about its arrangement. Again I think it’s more classical music in approach, as it builds up from the gradual plucking of (presumably) the violin and then joined by the other instruments along the way. “Farewell to Aga” is a slow paced tune. Overall, I quite enjoyed this CD and I think many of you will enjoy them. I’d envisage that on stage they would be lively, being so young! Of particular interest to those of you who like your folk with more than a dash of classical.