Search - Dirk Campbell :: Music From a Round Tower

This Album Is Something Else

Robert Carlberg | Seattle | 12/04/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Where else are you going to find an Englishman playing all sorts of ethnic wind, string and percussion instruments in compositions that are faithful to the traditions of the instruments' origins? With titles like "Mwamburi Dies Manfully at the Hands of a Thousand Thracians"? With skill and grace and imagination and not a small amount of charm?Campbell, who is perhaps best known as the former bassplayer (and French hornist) of the rock group Egg, has spent years studying world music, and it shows in his affection for other styles. He is somehow able to meld African, Gaelic, Indonesian, Arabic, (you get the idea) styles into a coherent whole.The only other album I can think of that even approached this territory was Wendy Carlos' groundbreaking "Beauty in the Beast" (1986).This is an album that I hear something new every time I play it. I guess you'd call it "world music," but not "world music fusion" because it doesn't cheapen the foreign influences by diluting them with rock underpinnings.It can't be summarized. It's something else."

Quiet Time

PHP 46 | Taj Mahal | 10/14/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wot he said below!! No, this is a collection of various culture;s approach to music. Cool to listen to in quiet moments by yourself. Some of it is like imaginary soundtrack stuff. Curious sounds for eccentrics maybe....."