2005, Atavistic
Fred Lonberg-Holm’s trio album Other Valentines is a rich feast of music, an eclectic mix of songs including compositions by Sun Ra, Gil Scott-Heron, Wilco and Cat Power. The members of the trio—Lonberg-Holm on cello, Jason Roebke on bass and Frank Rosaly on drums—play with style and verve, their graceful energy opening up the songs in unexpected ways.
The cello is a rich instrument, blessed with a deep-bodied, sonorous voice as well as a capacity for flight. Lonberg-Holm has a wonderful feel for the instrument, bringing its natural poignancy to bloom while also working its playful side. On Sun Ra’s “East of Uz” Lonberg-Holm has a light, swinging touch reminiscent of Stephane Grappelli and he also dives into some delightfully fractured improv. Another gem is “Fool,” where Lonberg-Holm digs into the bluesy, self-mocking melody line. Lonberg-Holm is also a gifted composer and the recording features three tunes by him, including “Almost Mid-day,” a heartbreaking meditation featuring his open-hearted cello.
Part of the disc's success certainly lies with Roebke and Rosaly. Roebke’s strings weave seamlessly into Lonberg-Holm’s, grounding the songs in a deep groove. Rosaly does a terrific job as well, with his cymbal work in particular adding dimension to the music. Altogether Other Valentines is a memorable CD, with rich layers that merit repeated listening. - Florence Wetzel, All About Jazz
Tracklisting
Disc 1
| 1 | East Of Uz |
| 1 | East Of Uz |
| 2 | Fool |
| 2 | Fool |
| 3 | Arnold Layne |
| 3 | Arnold Layne |
| 4 | Almost Mid-Day |
| 4 | Almost Mid-Day |
| 5 | Vals PÃ¥ Vingar |
| 5 | Vals PÃ¥ Vingar |
| 6 | Flo |
| 6 | Flo |
| 7 | Winter In America |
| 7 | Winter In America |
| 8 | Jesus Etc |
| 8 | Jesus Etc |
| 9 | I Got Nothing |
| 9 | I Got Nothing |
| 10 | "To My Buddy, Buddy" |
| 10 | "To My Buddy, Buddy" |
Customer Reviews





