Klarinet Archive - Posting 000671.txt from 2005/03

From: "Clark W Fobes" <claroneman@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] A very interesting clarinet CD
Date: Thu, 31 Mar 2005 17:56:04 -0500

Dear friends,

I am in the process of reviewing a CD for the Clarinet, but I thought
that some of you might be interested in knowing about it before the review
comes out.

The CD is called "The Clarinet Thing -agony pipes and misery sticks"

The Clarinet Thing is a group of five very talented clarinetists living
here in San Francisco and the bay area. The group's founder and primary
musical motivator is Beth Custer. Beth is a well known composer and
clarinetist. Her musical credits include several silent movie scores she
wrote when playing with "The Clubfoot Orchestra", a long time association
with the Joe Good dance company as composer and the creator of a very fine
ensemble called "Trancemission". The group's members consist of Beth Custer
on clarinet, alto clarinet, bass clarinet, Ben Goldberg - clarinet & bass
clarinet, Sheldon Brown - Bb clarinet , Eb clarinet & bass clarinet, - Peter
Josheff -clarinet & bass clarinet and Ralph Carney -clarinet and contra bass
clarinet.

The focus of the album is primarily jazz, but there are also several
pieces from genres as diverse as Klezmer , Brazilian, Kurt Weil and
traditional brass band music. All of the pieces were either composed or
arranged by Custer, Goldberg or Brown

This CD is an amalgam of live recordings from 1992 - 2003. Over that
time span I have heard this group in many different venues, but what always
comes across is the great fun that these players have. This is absolutely in
evidence in this recording. This is a stunning recording that reminds me why
I love the clarinet family so much.

One of the most interesting pieces is the original composition by Beth
called "Fired Manager Blues". This cut has a wonderfully bluesy and
evocative solo by Ralph Carney on contra bass clarinet.Beyond all of the
other virtues of this recording I would buy this CD solely on the merits of
Ralph's amazing contra playing! Beth's playing is soulful and elegant. .

This is a unique and eclectic collaboration of very creative musical
minds and wonderful instrumentalists. The Clarinet Thing will take you on a
journey to a land that most of us will never otherwise visit!!!

Copies can be purchased through www.bethcuster.com or www.cdbaby.com

And for those of you living in this area there will be a CD release
concert and party at "The Freight & Salvage" in Berkeley on May 24th.
CHECK IT OUT!!

Clark W Fobes

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