[FM] FAME Review: Gideon Freudmann - Hologram Crackers written by David Schultz

[David N. Pyles]

Gideon Freudmann
Hologram Crackers

http://www.cellobop.com

(Gadfly 508)

Gadfly Records
P.O. Box 5231
Burlington, VT 05402
1-888-9-GADFLY
http://www.gadflyrecords.com

A review written for the Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange By David Schultz
(schultz@alum.mit.edu)

Very rarely do you get to listen to someone who is truly unique. Gideon
Freudmann is one such artist.  Having performed on albums by the Nields and
Dar Williams (in particular, her "The Pointless, Yet Poignant, Crisis of a
Co-Ed"), he brings new sounds to the electric cello.  "Hologram Crackers"
is his fifth nationally distributed CD since 1995, a pretty impressive
resume by any standards.

All the music was written, arranged, performed, and produced by Freudmann.
Fourteen of the 17 tracks were recorded in one pass of the tape using
digital delays and looping gear to create the overdubs without conventional
multitracking.  This gives a rich sound that simply boggles the mind.

Many of the tracks on "Hologram Crackers" are reminiscent of Mike Oldfield
of "Tubular Bells" fame (theme from "The Exorcist"), notably "Backlit" and
the energetic "Excursion."  Other songs branch out away from conventional
instrumental music, borrowing more from traditional folk music ("Back
Porch"), children's music ("Robin Hood Changes His Oil"), and electronic
music ("Haunted Merry-Go-Round").

The title track features an urgent bow-played lead underlain by a funky
bass track, making it one of the most accessible tracks on the album.
"Molecule," on the other hand, really does sound like a visit to the
subatomic world.

Freudmann is a true innovator in instrumental and atmospheric cello music.
I found this album an enjoyable and intriguing listen.  The album works
either as background music for reading or for the more serious student who
might listen more critically.

Edited by Jonathan Colcord (absconc@grolen.com)

Copyright 2000, Peterborough Folk Music Society and David Schultz. This
review may be reprinted with prior written permission and attribution. 

=====================
David N. Pyles
Music Alive!
P. O. Box 459
Brattleboro, VT 05302-0459
(802) 257-0336 Mon-Thur 9:30am-4:30pm
http://www.acousticmusic.com/frames
http://www.acousticmusic.com/frames/fame.htm
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fast and loud, that's the world we live in
fast and loud, always in your face
trouble is 
with almost everything
that means anything
quiet is the volume
slowly is the pace

Grit Laskin "Fast & Loud"