Review for Elfin Saddle’s Ringing for the Begin Again
This CD contains music that would fit well with a video art installation or think of a Salvador Dali painting in motion. Vocals come in two languages: English from Jordan McKenzie and Japanese from Emi Honda. Music seems to be a fusion of several instruments – acoustic guitar, ukulele, xylophone, banjo, and bells – the result being a raw sound. On a good day the music sounds so earthly, you want to mold yourself to the soil. On a bad day, the music just gives you a headache. FCC clean. Try 7, 8

1. Music starts soft, volume builds – sounds like an orchestra preparing for a concert. Vocals begins about one minute intothe six-minute song. 2. Vocals from Emi – sort of like dance
music. 3. English vocals and guitar-driven folk sounding. 4. Emi’s voice is light and song is driven by the ukulele, but the presence of the tuba and double bass give song ominous tone.
5. Percussion-driven song – drums, bells – vocals come late and are more scat in nature. 6. Vocals over double bass – guitar and cymbals come in about 3 minutes into the song. 7. Sounds like a circus or carnival song. Starts quietly with
bells and the accordion(I think that’s the instrument) – vocals inJapanese. 8. Carnival or circus like. 9. Mish-mosh of many instruments.

by Rhonda Goodman