Ben Freed's new banjo CD
NOW available!!!
to order, see below
Click here for a review of Banjopolis in Bluegrass Unlimited
"Ben Freed makes some of the most tuneful,
engaging banjo music on record. Virtuosic
yes, and a lot more" -- Pete Wernick
tracks:
1. Banjopolis(2:57) Rushad, Jim, Ben
2. The Old Neighborhood(4:19) Kenny, Jim, Barry, Ben
3. Beat The Clock(2:14) Kevin, Kenny, Ethan, Ben
4. The Rhythm Method(4:11) Rushad, Mark, Ben
5. Big Apple Waltz(2:44) Mark, Ben
6. Your Ad Here(2:44) Kenny, Jon, Ben
7. Ode(2:05) Ben
8. Lowdown Hoedown(3:57) Rushad, Jim, Ben
9. The Big Bang(3:00) Kenny, Wayne, Mark, Ben
10. Spuyten Duyvil
Hornpipe(3:20) Rushad and Ben duet
11. Earl and Josh(3:00) Ethan, Mike, Ben
12. Goodnight(2:05) Ben
All songs composed and arranged by Ben Freed.
benfreed@optonline.net
The musicians:
Rushad Eggleston Wayne Fugate Ethan Kende Kenny Kosek Kevin Lynch
Barry Mitterhoff Mark Murphy Michael Sassano Jon Sholle Jim Whitney
Ben Freed's
Bluegrass Unlimited Review, Sept 2007:
Ben Freed is a New York City-based bluegrass banjo player who dwells
solidly in the progressive realm. Freed is backed on this all instrumental
outing by a host of well-known and seasoned professionals who are not afraid to
plug in or adapt their instruments to the material. As a result, we are treated
to an aural kaleidescope of sounds that flash around Freed's banjo. Sidemen
include Rushad Eggleston, Barry Mitterhoff, Kenny Kosek, and Jon Sholle, to name
a few.
If you are a fan
of the more adventurous sounds in bluegrass, you will have a lot of fun
listening to this project. There is a wide range to the tunes, all Freed
originals. Calypso rhythms, pieces that incorporate elements of bebop, waltzes
unlike those heard at fiddler's conventions, and hornpipes that are more
convoluted than even the most twisted, crooked, French Canadian tune, leap
out of the speakers and dance upon your ear drums. Around track nine of twelve,
things get more like bluegrass with "The Big Bang." Track eleven is
titled "Earl And Josh," and that is as down-to-earth as they get after
some of the more far ranging cuts.
Ben Freed is
obviously a very gifted musician who seizes every opportunity to stretch the
perceived limitations of a once humble instrument. His chordal and harmonic
explorations go beyond the ordinary. Imagine Dawg music played on a banjo. Yeah,
that's it-gypsy jazz and a whole lot more. This CD is recommended to all of you
who want something more from a banjo.
Mike Kropp's review in Banjo Newsletter:
Ben Freed is a familiar name to BNL readers. His comments, reviews, useful information and tabs have graced these pages numerous times. Ben’s latest CD, Banjopolis has been in rotation on my player for the past month and I can attest to his qualifications as a top notch banjoist.
First,
I really like the name of the CD and wish that I had thought of it first! The
word Banjopolis conjures up a grandiose vision of the 5 string future and
suggests a worldly, urban setting for this mystical place.
Ok, on to the music.
The
CD’s first moments display great playing with the authority and drive that
many modern bluegrass stylists don’t seem to possess. Ben’s right hand is a
veritable rhythm machine - and his timing is spot on.
All
the selections on the album were composed by Ben, and he assembled a stellar
crew of support musicians. It’s particularly refreshing to hear these
wonderful players embrace Ben’s melodies and arrangements and add to the
essence of the compositions. Too often, guest artists come to a session to add
thier tracks with lackluster playing-correct but not soulful. I get the feeling
that the support musician’s really liked these tunes, worked closely with Ben,
and enjoyed the interaction. The ‘’proof is in the pudding’-the tunes are
musically integrated and make for very enjoyable listening.
The
title tune, “Banjopolis” kicks off the set with a beautiful melodic flourish
and unfolds into a magical tour of Ben’s kingdom. This composition is a
showpiece for Ben’s virtuosity and attention to tone.
I like the rhythmic twists and the variety of picking styles
employed-ranging from melodic, driving new-grassy Scruggs to some tasty single
string jazz licks. The interplay with Ben banjo and Rushad Eggleston’s cello
is an unexpected delight-some really tight unison duet playing along with
Rushad’s truly stra tospheric solos. Bluegrass cello, you say? Check out
Rushad’s playing on Crooked Still’s CD for more of this guy. The sound of
cello and banjo is wonderful.
“Beat
the Clock”, is catchy and played at a fast clip with straight-ahead banjo and
shows that Ben is quite comfortable playing in a more tradtional bluegrass role.
Kevin Lynch’s mandolin solo (played on Joe Val’s Loar) is a standout, and
Kenny Kosek’s fiddle break is as good as it gets.
At
the other end of the spectrum is “Ode”-a strikingly beautiful composition
that features Ben’s sweet sounding banjo with a fingerstyle guitar
accompaniment. The lightly picked banjo sound is lush and dark- another hint of
the wide scope of Ben’s playing and attention to tone.
Ben
and Rushad really get down on “Lowdown Hoedown”. Ably assisted by Jim
Whitney on bass, and some tasty hand percussion, this tune leads to some new
territory. I enjoy this type of diversity and the fact that this music feels
organic while still being modern and complex.
“Earl
and Josh” delivers what the title implies and shows off some fine Earl type
picking as well as Ben’s fine dobro playing ( yup, he’s a dobro maven as
well!). Mike Sassano adds a great mandolin break to this one.
Another,
standout tune is “Spuyten Duyvil Hornpipe”. Really nice interplay here with
Rushad’s cello hornpipe style! “The Old Neighborhood” has Ben’s right
hand delivering some super, punchy tone on this interesting tune. The double
fiddle break from Kenny is terrific.
These
are only some of the highlights of “Banjopolis”. Ben’s approach is fresh
and modern, but still easily accessable to the listener who appreciates
traditional straight ahead picking. It’s all quite musical and thoroughly
enjoyable. If you are at all interested in hearing good new banjo music from a
great player who has surrounded himself with an all star cast of players- add
this cd to your collection and give it a spin.
A
quote from Pete Wernick on the CD sleeve sums it up: “Ben Freed makes some of
the most tuneful, engaging banjo music on record. Virtuosic yes, and a lot
more.” END
to order, send ($10 includes shipping) to
Ben Freed
45 Evergreen Row
Armonk, NY
10504
The New York City Area Bluegrass Music Scene
Thanks to my friends and family,
and thank you for stopping by.
email Ben: benfreed@optonline.net
end