“The Bee Eaters are the instrumental cream of the brand new string nation. Harking back to the ‘grand old days’ when new virtuosos seemed to spring onto the scene fully formed with a whole repertoire of brilliant music nobody had ever heard before, somehow these kids have absorbed everything we had to offer and alchemized it into a new musical world.”
~Darol Anger
__________________________________________________________________________
“These Bee Eaters have bowled me over! Compositionally, creatively, clarridgely and new acoustically (or whatever category you want to assign to them), they inhabit the highest rung of the musical ladder. Their music excites, heals and enriches. Listen often.”
~Tony Trischka
__________________________________________________________________________
"It is a joy to hear both the exploration of this music and the grounding of it simultaneously. Also, I love the emphasis on the simple beauty of the acoustic instruments."
~Edgar Meyer
__________________________________________________________________________
“The Bee Eaters’ extraordinary instrumentation of hammered dulcimer,
5-string banjo, fiddle, and cello immediately sets them apart from the
rest of the progressive string band world. But this band is no novelty.
The textures are rich, the tunes are engaging and the playing is
masterful. The interplay between the cascading dulcimer and the
rolling banjo is truly a great sound.”
~Noam Pikelny
__________________________________________________________________________
The Bee Eaters boasts four of the most accomplished, creative young talents of the new generation, tracing roots back to the musical traditions of Bluegrass, Old-time, Celtic, Jazz and Pop. The quartet combines the strong, striking music of hammered dulcimer virtuoso Simon Chrisman and banjo phenomenon Wes Corbett with the inimitable sound of brother-sister fiddle duo Tristan and Tashina Clarridge. Tristan, an inventive cellist and 5-time Grand National Fiddle Champion, tours with Crooked Still and Darol Anger’s Republic of Strings and has performed with Mike Marshall, Bruce Molsky, and Cape Breton fiddle phenomenon Natalie MacMaster. His sister Tashina, the 2005 Grand National Fiddle Champion, has toured with Mark O’Connor and Tony Trischka and has performed at Carnegie Hall as part of MacArthur Fellow/Grammy-winning bassist Edgar Meyer's Young Artists program. Since starting banjo at age 16, 22-year-old Wesley Corbett has toured internationally with North Carolina’s bluegrass sensation The Biscuit Burners and appeared with the David Grisman Quintet, Matt Glaser, and numerous other groups; he also currently tours with Joy Kills Sorrow. Wesley’s longtime musical collaborator, hammered dulcimer wizard Simon Chrisman, has performed with Darol Anger and Mike Marshall, opened for Bill Frisell, and at 16 was a scholarship guest artist at the Augusta Heritage Festival in West Virginia. His sophisticated rhythmic sense and ingenious tonal flexibility, on an instrument usually considered limited, has created a buzz among musicians all over the world. The result of the foursome’s collaboration is an elegant fusion of tradition and innovation. The Bee Eaters is a powerful creative force at the forefront of the emerging New Acoustic music scene.
Their brand new self titled release, produced by Darol Anger, is now available. Visit cdBaby.com to purchase.
www.beeeaters.com
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem, & some songs, on myspace... Poem 187 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (see my blog for details): A SOUTH SHIELDS WALKABOUT - AUTUMN 2001
Out of the museum-and-gallery (Wiser on Cookson and the local way), Down Ocean Road with, to the right of me, Its eateries and, left, neat places to stay; Before, on either side, Marine Parks - The southern-one a most beautiful place, Teeming with moorhens, swans, grebes and mallards In a small lake at a scenic-hill’s base.
Then (holding chips from the parade’s cafe And, thus, a flock of gulls squawking above) Onto the South Pier I made my way: Seeing seaweed over rocks - like a glove - And high-and-dry sands held from transgression By growth of grass and the weaving of wood, Plus, in the dim light of a sleepy sun, Fishing boats returning to Tynemouth’s hood.
Hi There, We started a Facebook site and wanted to let you know about it in you case you have one too and would like to join us there as well as at Myspace. For the link... Just Click here----->
FACEBOOK Urban Monroes Thanks a lot. Hope to see ya there!
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this folk-carol on myspace... Poem 230 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (see my blog for details): CHRISTMAS SUNG SIMPLY
As gospellers have said, Beneath signalling skies, On land dusty to tread, A trough in a stable Was the strawy first-bed Of a divine baby - The forgiving Godhead.
A season for new hope - There then and here now; The yuletide of goodwill - There then and here now.
In respect of this chance, Beneath bright or dark skies, Faith's the star that we glance Attending Christ's churches And trying to enhance, With singing and ritual, Our God-loving stance.
Hey there, We just finished our EP and we have posted a few songs on our myspace page. If you have a moment, we would love for you to have a listen. Thank you very much
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; "Broken-roofed buildings" are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen. ”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men.
That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
Thanks, Wesley, for adding our duo. I'm enjoying your tunes. Do you also make your home(s) along the clay streambanks? Cheers from Vonnie of 2 Bits (hammered dulcimer and piano)
hey bee eaters, the new album is just AWESOME!! i love it. (tristan, the tune i was trying to think of when you quoted the waltz turned out to be tunnels, i believe) anyhow, this album is truly something very special. yeah!! it was so good to see you all at wintergrass; hope the next time is soon!!
Online Now!
