Somewhere
Ravello, 2019
8/10
A musician and educator who has much experience playing solo and in chamber settings, Andrea Cheeseman excels at electroacoustic sounds, as evidenced on the stunning work on Somewhere.
“Arioso/Doubles” starts the listen with skilled clarinet from Cheeseman in the haunting yet playful setting that touches on folk influences, and “Somewhere” follows and brings ambience to the mysterious affair.
Further on, “Ultraviolet” recruits all sorts of aberrant sounds to the adventurous highlight, while “Penelope’s Song” where a weaving loom provides percussion, shows just how innovative Cheeseman can get.
At the end, “Breath” offers a soft and solemn, meditative atmosphere, and “Favorable Odds” ends the listen with glowing harmonies and adventurous textures that get both experimental and frisky with hints of blues.
While Cheeseman takes nods to Stravinsky and Bartok, the artist is clearly walking her own path, that, although anchored by her clarinet acrobatics, recruits countless ideas into her sonically engaging formula.
Travels well with: Sabine Meyer- Fantasia; Benny Goodman- Benny Rides Again