A far-ranging fantasy titled “the rain falls equally on all things” takes its harmonic inspiration from Schubert and its technical language from Leo Kottke. In the opening “What He Said,” Verdery and guitarist Simon Powis trade jumpy quasi-ragtime licks and gentle ballad sections. The five works here are ambitious in scope - one draws from Aristotle, and the title work is a 15-minute collage laden with vocals and allusions to a variety of immigrant musical cultures - yet they retain an ingratiating charm that goes well with Verdery’s virtuosic playing. The music of guitarist and composer Ben Verdery ducks playfully back and forth between serious contemporary strains and pop-tinged vigor, welcoming everything in with the graciousness of a kindhearted host. I t is work that evokes both musical and extra-musical associations and does so with a sense of eclectic encompass.
Verdery's virtuosity helps distinguish the five performances, which makes for a consistently engrossing recording, regardless of whether he appears alone or with guests….As much of a show-stopper as Scenes from Ellis Island certifiably is, it's hardly the only high point on the release and neither is it the only piece that recommends it.
San Francisco Chronicle (scroll down page) Scenes from Ellis Island will be available for downloading and streaming starting on February 14th from Amazon, iTunes, Naxos, Spotify, Bandcamp & New Focus Recordings. Guest artists on the album include West African singer Hawa Kassé Mady Diabaté, guitarist Simon Powis, beatboxer Mark Martin, and cellist Guilherme Nardelli Monegatto.
Verdery's broad sources of inspiration include world music traditions, gospel, pop music, history, philosophy, and virtuosic guitar composition, combining these together in music that resonates with an expansive joy. Scenes from Ellis Island contains selections of Ben’s eclectic solo and ensemble music. New Focus Recordings presents Scenes from Ellis Island, the new album from Ben on the Panoramic Recordings imprint.
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