FISHTANK ENSEMBLE: Super Raoul

Fishtank Ensemble

Super Raoul

© 2005 Fisthank (678033302424)

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

SPECIAL: 10% discount if you buy more than one copy of it today!

(About MP3 downloads at CD Baby)

Fishtank offers a unique musical experience--and a rollicking good time. From the smokey cafes of Bucharest to the Gypsy caravans of yesterday, this band evokes the spirit of a past age and the sounds of tomorrow.

try this

genres you will love

By Location

Recommended if you like ...

notes

Fishtank offers a unique musical experience--and a rollicking good time! From the smokey cafes of Bucharest to the Gypsy caravans of yesterday, this band evokes the spirit of a past age and the sounds of tomorrow.

Fishtank is a lively and unusual ensemble consisting of violin, saw, accordion, shamisen, flamenco guitar, bass, percussion and voice. Rumanian folk music forms the bulk of the material, with a healthy helping of Flamenco, Swedish folk music, Klezmer, other folk sources and original songs.

Audience reaction to our hastily formed ensemble been extremely positive.
Their first fill length CD was released in November 2005.

Fishtank Ensemble offers a unique blend of up-tempo Gypsy, Balkan and klezmer tunes and original compositions. The arrangements are always surprising, and include instruments from many countries, such as the Japanese shamisen.

The Gypsy violin of Fabrice Martinez is the backbone of the sound, and has to be heard to be believed.

The band also features the voice of the talented and beautiful Ursula Knudson, "The Swedish Nightingale" (or is that Jenny Lind?), who when she isn't playing the saw or violin, sings everything from cabaret to art song.

Other members of this band include:
Aaron Seeman (Duckmandu) - the famed punk rock accordianist
Kevin Kmetz - otherwise known as the Last Shamisen Master
Douglas Smolens (el douje) - flamenco/ gypsy jazz guitarist extraordinaire.
Glenn Allen - Upright Bass Maestro

There is nothing ordinary about this band!

reviews

Please log in to review this album.

  • wake up to it every morning and your life will be better
    author: Stacey

    I was staying at my parents' house when this cd arrived in the mail. Everyone had gone to bed, so I had to listen to it on my headphones. It was so good that I tip-toed into my parents' darkened bedroom and asked if they wanted to hear it. They said "No! Wait until the morning!!" It felt like waiting to open presents on Christmas. As soon as they woke up the next day, I blasted it in the living room. My dad danced and cooked us all blueberry pancakes. It's the most joyful music ever.

  • got the cd, loved it. went to see them up north. it was awesome
    author: cindy savage

    my mother and father love it too. we plays it all the time.

  • Boy do these guys rock!
    author: Rebekka

    As a klezmer musician, I like to keep my ears to the ground for people doing interesting fusion work that incorporates Eastern European music. I usually don't expect much, but boy did Fishtank blow my mind! The relentless Roma violin, the sharp Shamisen, and the great ensemble feel make this a driving, toe-tapping album. Plus, I've heard Papirosn butchered and maimed in every maudlin and poorly interpreted way possible, and I've never heard anything as wholly original as this version. It's a tune dear to my heart, so I don't give the compliment lightly. All I can say is...make another one!

  • author: WEE R 1

    Gorgeous . Thanks Guys

  • author: Christina

    Extraordinar! There is so much Romania in this songs. Such a joy!

  • outstanding group - amazingly enjoyable
    author: Penny Finocchiaro

    Thoroughly enjoy this group - first heard them on NPR and wanted their CD. Good job of keeping me notified of when the CD was available and it arrived quickly - in time for CHristmas!!!!!!! Thank you....love this group!

  • The CD that always was
    author: david

    It's such a graceful amalgamation, you don't ever think about what an odd combination of musical traditions it is. It just sounds so natural, as if gypsy violin and shamusen have always gone together. And man, these are some talented players. Seriously top shelf material.

  • an amazing band, even bether than i was expecting !
    author: Yves Gaille

    This CD meets a lots of my attempts, and i must say it's just a tremendous band of rather young an motivated people ! The fusion of Balkanik influences going from eastern to more southern influences is perfect. And once you know that the CD was reccorded in one week, you can only agree that these guys are fucking good, and whish their upcoming !

  • Fabrice, the virtuoso, and Ursula, the Swedish nightingale, are the heart and mi
    author: Marilyn A. Foley

    Fabrice Martinez is a surpassing virtuoso on the violin. His French and Spanish roots coalesce with Romany and make him the voice of the Gypsy violin. Ursula's operatic voice and singing saw are almost as one on the CD. The best cut is #12 Suite Romaine (sweet romaine?)

email

Please log in to email this artist.