Search - Trapezoid :: Moon Run

Magical, modern folk music at its finest!

Brianna Neal | USA | 12/31/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Paul Reisler and his group Trapezoid offer artful and heartfelt arrangements of tunes old and new. Their sound is smooth, polished and hauntingly clear, emphasizing the accoustic but with some electronics in the form of guitars and synthesizers. Composition styles range from dreamy to plaintive to somewhat jazzy. Each track--and especially the progression of all of them together--brings to the surface emotions you didn't know you had, explores them with honesty and depth, and then lets them dissipate gently like ripples in a pond. The sung numbers are characterized by the exquisite vocal harmonies of Cheryl Hurwitz and Anne Louise White. Instruments used include guitar, saxophone, hammered dulcimer, violin, clarinet, harp, mandolin and percussion. Trapezoid is a group that I am hard-pressed to describe in words, as it is different from any other represented in my collection. Their work is innovative, engaging, intricate, unexpected and truly special, and "Moon Run" is my favorite of their releases. Do yourself a favor: click on the listen links to the available tracks so you can hear for yourself, and try also their 1994 release, "Remembered Ways". If you enjoy Trapezoid's style, you may also appreciate the warm and folksy "Homecoming" by Jerry Read Smith, and the work of Paul Reisler and other hammered dulcimer masters on John McCutcheon's terrific album "Step by Step"."

Samples of this kind of music are inadequate ........

MovieMusic | Idyllic Avalon Beach N.S.W. | 10/02/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Paul Reisler sound is unique, and the title track "Moon Run" is a lovely example of it at its best. The sample here only gives you a small taste of the enjoyment to come.



Similarly, my other favorite track on this album, "In The Hills Of Shiloh", is not done justice by the sample. You have to wait till the last verse of this song to hear both women combine in individual and harmony vocals, which, highlighted by the perfect instrumental and vocal arrangements, are equal to the most spine-chilling vocals I've ever heard. And I say that as a listener who has enjoyed very few of the vocal performances by this group. Usually I find the vocal doesn't fit the song, or vice versa, but I have no hesitation in saying the last minute of this song blew me away. If you buy the mp3 of it, make sure you get a copy of the lyrics."