We saw Beth Orton last
We saw Beth Orton last night..It was a fun show, she was a fantastic performer..loose, funny, and her voice was beautiful. She was playing with (among others) a cellist who wasn’t very noticeable in the mix, and who played very conservatively. It got me thinking…what I really miss in current indie/alterna rock music is aggressive cello! Whether it was Jane Scarpantoni’s work with Bob Mould, Kristin Hersh or Nirvana, or Alison Chesley in Verbow, or the cello arrangments on The Smashing Pumpkins’ Disarm, there is something about the way a cello can swoop into a lull in music, or lead into a passage, that absolutely sends chills up my spine. Maybe the infrequency with which it happens makes it more special, but it seems like it’s disappearing. I miss it.
2 Comments, Comment or Ping
Chris
My theory is that your average cellist is a loose cannon, easily led into the life of drugs, booze and parties. The average cellist has a reputation worse than even drummers! Now, with a person as volitile as that can you imagine how hard it would be to coordinate and record an album while you’ve got some crazy cellist smashing plates in the living room?
May 29th, 2002
Brent
Does your theory also account for the funny names like Yo-Yo, Mstislav, and du Pre?
May 29th, 2002
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