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Flash Hawk Parlor Ensemble, Plastic Bag in a Tree
reviewed by dave heaton
Flash Hawk Parlor Ensemble is a space-bluegrass (you know, like 'space
rock' but down-home bluegrass-style) 'supergroup' brought together by
the Decemberists' affable multi-instrumentalist Chris Funk. 'Super'
not because of celebrity status, but because of the group's size (15,
if you count pets) and the unusual circumstances under which it formed
– Funk moves to a new neighborhood, realizes many of his neighbors
are musicians, and invites them over for jam sessions. 'Super' too for
the freshness of this whole endeavor. Not just the fun covers of
unlikely candidates – Massive Attack, Amnesiac-era Radiohead,
the Kinks and Fleetwood Mac – but how unique both those and the
originals are. These may be 'jams', but directed towards a fresh
new/old style. They're playing around with instruments – Funk alone
plays everything from moog to hurdy gurdy – but also with genres. An
old-fashioned, rustic vibe is just as strong as a
forward-to-the-future one (moog never hurts in that regard). One hell
of a party.
{www.hushrecords.com)
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