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Reviews of "The Organ Grinder" |
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Neil Brook
It's a refreshing change to hear your innovative style instead of endless French dance. I particularly liked " Whale " with its ironic Japanese style . I'm going to have to get hold of a Weischelbaumer and find out what's going on there as they have an amazing sound - possibly not a trad. gurdy sound but superb for the more contemporary player.
Neil Brook, Hurdy-gurdy builder and performer,
Lancashire. England
24th August 2008
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Danny Spooner
Looking for something exciting, different and interesting (and ancient), try the new CD, The Organ Grinder the first by the Gurdy Girl alias Jane Ruckert. I've listened to this a number of times and each time I hear something different. The hurdy-gurdy is not an instrument we hear a lot of in this country and so her CD is a very welcome addition to the Australian music scene. There are eleven tracks with stunningly different moods, nine of which are composed by Jane. She plays a couple of different hurdy-gurdies and a Swedish nyckelharpa, as well as singing beautifully on three of the tracks. She is also accompanied on three tracks by Greg Ruckert on bodhran, rainstick and mbira.
This CD shows not only the versatility of the instrument but its capacity to evoke emotions, sensations and to create soundscapes. I was particularly moved by the piece Whale where the drone strings are used to create humpback-whale under Japanese-style musical themes - a striking protest. And there is plenty of variety too ranging from evoked Gregorian chant, a traditional Swedish polka, the title track is a classical piece for hurdy gurdy by Franz Schubert, and the finalé is an improvisation created on stage at the Woodford Folk Festival in 2007.
This CD is a stunning revelation. It will give years of pleasure and help to lift the profile, in Australia, of a remarkably versatile instrument and the very talented, Gurdy Girl.
Danny Spooner, Singer, folklorist and historian,
Daylesford, Victoria, Australia
30th July 2008
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Dr Graham Strahle
I would urge you to take the opportunity to listen to her recordings to gain an idea of the sort of work she does. Unusual and highly creative, it combines traditional and modern hurdy-gurdy techniques, a variety of European folk styles, and much free improvisation. Her own compositions combine all these elements too. I am sure you will be impressed, as I have been through the years of knowing Jane, at the remarkable creativity of her work. To have already developed to this stage, at her age, indicates to me what a talented young artist she is.
Dr Graham Strahle, Music writer, critic, performer.
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
28th July 2008
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