Parallelogram: Edinburgh Festival 2007

*****

See edfringe.com

Review by Frank Burkett

Well, if you turned up to St Brides with the prospect of Lau plus four, then you were going to be pretty excited. The four extras certainly impressed however and should in no review ever be dismissed as simply the four extras so I apologise.

This group (Parallelogram) were basically funded by the Scottish Arts Council and the PRS Foundation in an experiment to mix Jazz and Folk. This experiment may still be in the initial stages but I think it’s on the road to success. They all went up to Burnham for a few days, rehearsed, wrote a few songs between them and then performed.

Obviously it’s hard to fail with a group of such talented musicians, Brian Finnegan (Flutes,whistle/Flook) and Pete Wareham (Saxophone/Acoustic Ladyland) just to name two but it was clear adjustments had to be made. They started with a very experimental number that was written by Pete Wareham on the Sax. This automatically gave the audience a taste of what they were about to hear for the next hour. I must admit, I had my reservations about it but as they warmed up, I found myself enthralled by who or which instrument was going to take over next. Bit of Jazz sax and drum here, bit of Folk fiddle and box there. Very enjoyable and unpredictable.
I have to say I enjoyed the clear cut Jazz when it came or just the clear cut Folk, when it came, and sometimes winced as the two mixed to form this new sound. All in all however, a great gig and it was a pleasure to be entertained by such a wealth of talent. The future is bright for Parallelogram, provided the funding continues I presume.

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