|
Concert Reviews: The Cantrells
“To see The Cantrells perform is like watching poetry in
motion. You’d think there was a stage full of musicians – when it’s just the two of them. Al and Emily
are consummate artists in every way as their values and passions are woven into their lyrical and rhythmic music. The Cantrells
concert in Louisville was magical as it packed the house and achieved resounding response from the audience. We can’t
wait to have them back.” --Wendy Phillips, Louisville Cultural Council
Nashville
TENNESSEAN:
"Emily can just flat out sing and Al's a fiddler's fiddler."
Rosalie Sorrels, from liner notes to
"A New Language":
"The first time I heard Al and Emily Cantrell it was in a noisy Idaho bar where the sound level was
as overwhelming as a thunderstorm and the sensibility was about as sensitive as a tractor-pull at a county fair ... but! ...
Emily's clear arresting voice cut through all that panic and birdseed like a mountain sweet-water spring cuts through stone
all wrapped in Al's finely tuned, well-honed steel and lace fiddle.
Since then they've visited me in my mountain cabin
and played music in that lovely stillness as well - the company was as sweet as the music ... and now you can experience that
company and that fine collaboration on this new album ... two first-rate musicians come together like a rainbow - many-colored
and splendidly joined - deserving as much attention as they've given to their music.
What a pleasure! -do yourself a
favor and listen up."
Robert K. Oermann, Nashville TENNESSEAN:
"She sings like an angel, he plays like the devil.
THE CANTRELLS make delightful acoustic music. Their harmonies are just lovely and Emily has one of those truly lovable homespun
sopranos. Al's fiddling is superb. They do everything from swing to country."
Bruce A. Bauman, Executive Director,
Wheatland Music Organization:
"Now that I have seen THE CANTRELLS twice, listened to and been quite captivated by their
two albums, and worked with them once, I can urge you to contact them so you may have the experience soon. In my twenty years
with Wheatland I can easily count twenty female singers capable of breaking glass at some distance, women with unique, rich
and compelling voices. Emily Cantrell makes twenty-one, but in this setting, harmonizing with Al, their subtle musical grace,
she could easily become a favorite.
THE CANTRELLS are more than worth a listen. They are much more than your usual fine
old time and bluegrass inspired duet. This barebones duet cuts quickly and deeply and commands your attention."
From
the internet:
THE CANTRELLS at Black Forest, CO, by Mike Carr, POWER PICKIN'
"Al and Emily Cantrell (of "A River
Runs Through It" fame) appeared at our humble log cabin in the pines of Black Forest, Colorado on Sunday, October 16. Emily
Cantrell writes excellent songs. She has an impressive vocal range and is an expressive singer. I was also impressed with
her guitar playing ability; she threw some jazz structures around like it was yesterday's news. Al Cantrell divided his time
between mandolin and fiddle. He's an excellent mando player and a monster fiddle player. Two tunes, whose titles I will mangle
from memory included "Jesusita en Chihuahua," a kind of Mex thing with eight parts, and a contradance style tune called "Jack's
Sermon," or something like that. He blew the room away."
|
