FISHTANK ENSEMBLE – “Super Raoul”
self-released, 2005

WORLD MIX – Here’s a fun Bay Area outfit, starting from a Romanian folk-music base but throwing in a Japanese shamisen, Flamenco guitar, musical saw, and near-operatic vocals, while drawing from Klezmer, Swedish music, and Gypsy swing. And get this: the band had only been together for 3 weeks when they made this record! But you’d never guess it. Wacky and whimsical, kind of like 3 Mustaphas 3 only without the mythology or slapstick.

Fo’s Picks: 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 12

1. 6:55 – upbeat, slashing rhythm, strong fem vocal, solos for fiddle, shamisen
2. 3:44 – café instrumental led by accordion & saw, cinematic & memorable
3. 3:02 – a workout: fast chugging rhythm, good ensemble play
4. 6:37 – band intros, then a relaxed, bluesy sort of folk tune (turns fast later on!)
5. 3:32 – extra-bouncy ditty, slows down in middle, then spins into outer space!
6. 2:50 – midtempo: just shamisen and Balkanized Japanese vocal
7. 4:36 – desert flamenco: slashing melody, fine guitar solo, wordless vocal tricks
8. 6:48 – medley of bouncy uptempo dances, plenty of top-notch fiddle action
9. 6:21 – odd: ballad intro, then flamenco energy; guitar, fiddle, shamisen trade off
10. 4:09 – bouncy folk melody with fem vocal draped on top
11. 4:38 – shamisen in front, moves through classical, folk, and rock phases
12. 4:41 – violin showcase: slow set-up, then a frantic chase!
13. 4:49 – violin weaves in, out, and around a steady loping rhythm

[Fo] - 1/28/06