Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer with Chao Tian – From China To Appalachia
What’s amazing here is how one culture’s musical soundscapes can merge with another’s landscapes. It’s like what happens when you mix Jello powder with water & allow it to cool. Two opposite ingredients that gel to make something…delicious.
In 1966 The Butterfield Blues Band had a classic blues album called “East-West.” Guitarists Elvin Bishop & Mike Bloomfield played interlocking lead guitars through the long guitar-dueling instrumental title piece. Listening closely, it was the blues, but it was also anchored in modal jazz with the guitar interplay sounding like Indian raga music. It was exceptional. It worked.
So here, on the 13 cuts From China To Appalachia (Drops Aug 16/Community Music/48:18) produced by Grammy Award-winning Americana-roots artists Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer with Chao Tian, their music includes traditional Chinese & Appalachian tunes. They add contemporary & traditional world music. There’s a dip into Russian folk, a Chinese lullaby & Chao’s take on old-time American music.
Years ago, The Paul Winter Consort approached his music by pairing his band & human vocalists with the voices of animals (whales & wild wolves). This made for a unique LP that was challenging & quite interesting.
Cross-cultural connections are always the most intriguing kind of folk music. In the hands of virtuoso musicians with expertise & finesse, it becomes bracingly smart music with exuberance. A performance on an entirely different wave. Their virtuosity – a tailored technique to individual expressive ends & instrumental wizardry.
For those uninitiated, “High On a Mountain” is sweet & “Ruby, Are You Mad At Your Man,” possesses the ear-capturing ambiance of The Fairport Convention. The vocals are perfectly suited between the tenderly plucked strings of a banjo, mandolin & acoustic guitar. Well-played pieces.
Chao Tian fits perfectly in this trio with her charming angelic voice in “The White Snake Song.” But this also has her lovely Chinese string performance with what sounds like counter melodies under the surface that embrace until Ms. Tian’s vocals return. It sounds as if it could be a children’s song. Lovely.
Chao’s “Nan Ni Wan,” is more Chinese folk-oriented with an ethereal swipe similar to tunes by Dead Can Dance. The Chinese instrumental “Yongjun Yangko,” comes with a tinge of bluegrass with square dance shadings. Excellent.
Maybe politicians should stay home & let musicians talk with their instruments between the countries. Musicians get along because they speak the “same language.”
Highlights – “August Flower,” “High On a Mountain,” “The White Snake Song,” “Pig Ankle Rag,” “Yongjun Yangko,” “Glory In the Meeting House/Leader’s Glory,” “Ruby, Are You Mad At Your Man,” “Nan Ni Wan” & “Little Betty Ann/Kitchen Girl/Midu Mountain Song.”
Musicians – Cathy Fink (5-string banjo/Gourd banjo/guitar/vocals) & Marcy Marxer (cello banjo/guitar/mandolin/ukelele/Dumbek/percussion/vocals) & Chao Tian (Yangqin – Chinese hammered dulcimer, Sibao & vocals).
CD color image courtesy of Jeff Fasano. CD available & song samples @ Bandcamp & https://www.cathymarcy.com/from-china-to-appalachia/
