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-LK031 Mary Halvorson and Jessica Pavone "Prairies"

The american prairie sound rebuilt with modernity. Haunting ballads of astounding musical clarity, surrounded by wandering patterns of emotion. 100percent acoustic sound.

Mary Halvorson - guitar, vocals
Jessica Pavone - viola, vocals

tracks 1,4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11 by J P
tracks 2, 3, 6, 10, 12,13 by M H
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Recorded and engineered 7/04 & 5/05 by Tatsuya Nakatani at H&H Production,
Bronx NY (www.hhproduction.org)

MP3:

Track 2 "Impossible to Recreate"
Track 12 "Your Reason is Dead"
Track 13 "Last Hymn"

<<Demonstrating that musical experimentation isn’t necessarily difficult listening, the duo of guitarist Mary Halvorson and violist Jessica Pavone offers a refreshing album of playful and somber instrumental compositions (with two vocal songs), rooted in modern classical music with touches of improv. On certain tracks, they cycle between sustaining patterns and diving into freestyle moments, and on others (in particular the album’s final two selections) they create eerie moods with simple yet penetrating melodies. Brimming with ideas, odd moments, and proficient guitar/viola interplay, Prairies is both adventurous and inviting.>>
-Ernest Paik (Chatanooga Pulse)

"Their experimental instincts, sharpened by an affiliation with Anthony Braxton, commingle with a folksy lyricism; sometimes they even sing, without a trace of protective irony."
-Nate Chinen, The New York Times

"They listen as though they're hotwired into each other's brain, their taut structural discipline prompting a domino effect of great ideas." - Philip Clark, The Wire

Links:

www.myspace.com/maryandjess
www.maryhalvorson.com
www.jessicapavone.com