Review of Hickory Strings Concert (Wellesley/Weston Life Long Learning)
It was our great pleasure to host Geoff Brown and Hickory Strings on May 7th at the Wellesley/Weston Life Long Learning Center in Wellesley Hills, MA. Geoff and Tev put on a dynamic presentation using five different stringed instruments in a series of original compositions. Each presentation was accompanied by a descriptive educational narrative by Geoff and Tev. The response by the audience of close to 40 members was very positive. Comments were made about the creative way the pair combined the history of the instruments with each musical score.
-Phillip Jutras, PhD (Wellesley/Weston LL)
-Phillip Jutras, PhD (Wellesley/Weston LL)
Review of the March 2011 release, “Duo” by National Mandolin Champion, John McGann
“Hickory Strings latest release “Duo” is a unique and fantastic instrumental duo recording featuring original compositions by Geoff Brown (mandolin) and Mark Whitaker (banjo). Eschewing the flashy pyrotechnics that both players are capable of, they instead focus on textures, dynamic interplay, emotional range, and deeply musical uses of harmony and counterpoint, as well as that oft-missing component: space! Adventurous without sounding “experimental”, flowing without rambling aimlessly, these well conceived melodies are delivered with the panache and fluidity found in jazz and bluegrass, combined with the classical composer’s sense of balance and form, but yielding something greater than the sum of those stylistic parts. This music is easy to listen to, but light years from “easy listening”, as it balances memorable melodies with the sound of surprise, in a recorded atmosphere that is both warm and inviting. Beautiful stuff!”
-John McGann (National Mandolin Champion, Berklee College of Music professor)
-John McGann (National Mandolin Champion, Berklee College of Music professor)
Concert review of Hickory Strings live at the Cantab Lounge during the 2011 Hickory Strings residency
Every year at the Newport Folk Festival I get my fill of bluegrass from the likes of Trampled By Turtles, Chris Thile, and Sam Bush to name a few, but back home in Boston I never know where to turn to get my fix. That was until I hit the Cantab Lounge in Cambridge on Tuesday night to check out Hickory Strings.
Each Tuesday night of the month Cantab hosts some of Boston’s best bluegrass musicians and with this past Tuesday being my first look into the Boston bluegrass scene, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I can tell you that I was pleasantly surprised to say the least. Hickory Strings played an hour long set highlighted by some impressive musicianship from each band member.
Geoff Brown led the charge with his entrancing mandolin skills, and showed off some versatility on a few Celtic inspired songs while Mark Whitaker made playing the banjo look easier than making fun of Donald Trump’s hair. Guest fiddler Eva Walsh transported me back to Newport with a performance reminiscent of Sara Watkins and bassist Gian Pangaro pulled it all together.
What was most surprising though was the turnout that the show attracted, and on a Tuesday night nonetheless. I was expecting share my evening with a few bluegrass diehards telling stories of how they were at the very first Newport Folk Festival, not to be squeezing my way through a crowd of 20-somethings to find the exit once Hickory Strings left the stage. I applaud the Cantab Lounge and Hickory Strings for giving Boston residents a place to share some beers and some tremendous bluegrass music, can’t wait for next Tuesday.
-Maimed and Tamed Music Blog
Each Tuesday night of the month Cantab hosts some of Boston’s best bluegrass musicians and with this past Tuesday being my first look into the Boston bluegrass scene, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I can tell you that I was pleasantly surprised to say the least. Hickory Strings played an hour long set highlighted by some impressive musicianship from each band member.
Geoff Brown led the charge with his entrancing mandolin skills, and showed off some versatility on a few Celtic inspired songs while Mark Whitaker made playing the banjo look easier than making fun of Donald Trump’s hair. Guest fiddler Eva Walsh transported me back to Newport with a performance reminiscent of Sara Watkins and bassist Gian Pangaro pulled it all together.
What was most surprising though was the turnout that the show attracted, and on a Tuesday night nonetheless. I was expecting share my evening with a few bluegrass diehards telling stories of how they were at the very first Newport Folk Festival, not to be squeezing my way through a crowd of 20-somethings to find the exit once Hickory Strings left the stage. I applaud the Cantab Lounge and Hickory Strings for giving Boston residents a place to share some beers and some tremendous bluegrass music, can’t wait for next Tuesday.
-Maimed and Tamed Music Blog
