ROSE & THE NIGHTINGALE: Spirit of the Garden
Sunnyside, 2013

CHAMBER/VOCAL – This very unusual all-female quartet with cello, violin, piano, trumpet and three voices has a singer-songwriter vibe, only with a larger, richer palette: they pull together strands of folk, jazz, classical music and more in a set of gorgeous, optimistic tunes, all inspired by botanical gardens and parks. The lyrics are drawn from poems, following a seasonal progression from springtime to winter.

Fo’s Picks: 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 16

1. 1:32 – a sung haiku (first of 4): ethereal 3-way vocal harmony & violin
2. 4:52 – what a great song: so sweet, so happy, so soulful! very catchy, too
3. 6:05 – flowing classical sound at first, then flies away in a stomping reel
4. 1:47 – improvised solo cello meditation, intro to #5
5. 5:17 – delicate intro w/poem, then rolls lightly: fluttering scat vocal takes off
6. 1:39 – second haiku: great sound with whispered vocal & strings
7. 2:30 – three vocals in tight harmony weave through a mystic Rumi poem
8. 4:29 – similar vibe to #2: catchy, warm and optimistic, muted trumpet solo
9. 4:25 – daydreamy ballad: voice & violin dance trade off, gentle backing
10. 4:12 – 3-way vocal intro, then intricate harmony over light rhythmic gallop
11. 1:17 – third haiku: spoken softly over mysterious strings & piano
12. 5:47 – dramatic, somewhat tense feel; a bold, tango-tinged chorus
13. 3:50 – thoughtful poem & vocal; piano & violin sound lovely
14. 1:59 – fourth haiku: sad, stark, lonely, but beautiful
15. 5:10 – slow vocal duet over simple cello & lyrical violin
16. 4:25 – melancholy quartet & gentle wordless vocal

[ Fo ] - 2 June 2013