pacificlectic : concert reviews & eclectic music news

FYI… PHOTOS of the SHOW at the BOTTOM

Fishtank Ensemble hit the scene in 2005 with Super Raoul.  The first record hit my radar with members from bandmembers from bands I was already into: Kevin Kmetz (from God of Shamisen/Estradasphere/Secret Chiefs 3 on occasion), Doug & Tim Smolens (El Douje’s record & Estradasphere), and Adam Stacey (Estradasphere).  Only Doug “El Douje” Smolens remains from that first group of guys who got me into the band, but the other members definitely kept me around…

The band is Fabrice Martinez (pictured above –  violin), Ursula Knudson (pictured above – vocals, saw, violin, etc), El Douje (guitar) and Djordje Stijepovic (Bass).  They play a mix of Eastern European “gypsy” music mixed with a heavy dose of Django Reinhardt influenced French jazz (dominated by guitars & violins).  Think… Hot Club de Baltic States.  On their records thus far, they also add in some Japanese music (from former member Kevin Kmetz’s shamisen work).

This was my first time to one of their shows.  Last time they came through Eugene, I was up in Portland for another band, but my wife gave a rousing thumbs up (she ended up going to see Fishtank at Cozmic Pizza).

The band played about two hours, split up with a nice intermission / snack time in the middle.  The band was red hot, and the intimate living room setting made this concert very special.  I’ll admit, I’m not usually a fan of vocals as of late, especially in world music.  However, Ursula nails it.  Seeing her perform in concert 4 feet in front of me was quite stunning.  Besides the stunning dress (!!!), her vocals were utterly fantastic!  She did a lot of vocal acrobatics, which worked amazingly well with violin, bass and guitar acrobatics that the rest of the band was giving us as well.

They played a lot of material I recognized from their second album, Samurai over Serbia, as well as some new and/or traditional tunes.  Here’s what I scribbled down (fixed by bassist Djordje – – Thanks!)…

Setlist:

• Espagnolette
• Saraiman
• Arabo Andaluz
• After You’ve Gone
• Fraima
• Woman in Sin
• Swing 2003
• Hopa di Bida
• Am Furat de la Haidouks (Romanian Sirba dance medley)
  <<intermission>>
• O’Dewel
• Kolo Suite (Serbian/Transylvanian Medley)
• Tchiki Tchiki
• Djordje’s Rachenitza
• Coucou
• Opa Opa
• Samurai Over Serbia
• Encore: Ursula’s high school song
• Ciocarlia

They’ve got a new record coming out soon, called Woman in Sin.  Keep an eye out for it on their webpage, MySpace, et cetera.  Thank you to Michael & Carolyn for putting on a great house show!  I look forward to the next Rolling & Tumble house show — Tuvan throat singers!!

many more photos below

The Appropriate Linkage:

• Fishtank Ensemble’s Site
• Fishtank Ensemble on MySpace
• Rolling & Tumble House Concerts
  

~Dan – np: Bill Frisell – Rambler

FISHTANK ENSEMBLE PHOTOS
all pictures (cc) 2010 Daniel Temmesfeld,
you may use freely under a creative commons attribution

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