Jazz CD Reviews
Elida - Iva Bittová, violin and vocals (with Bang on a Can); Cantaloupe Records
Highly unusual mezzo voice takes listeners on a zany ride
Published on June 22, 2005
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Elida - Iva Bittová, violin and vocals (with Bang on a Can); Cantaloupe CA21027, 46:32 ***1/2:
A fusion of jazz and alternative rock, Elida is a quirky off-center joy, one that reveals new surprises with each listening. I’ll go farther than that: it grows wiggly hairy appendages each time you slap it on your machine. Featuring Czech performance artist Iva Bittova and the fun-loving Bang on a Can gang, this CD is so unique, there are few stylistic consistencies surprises between cuts. Bittova puts her mezzo voice through such acrobatics, it’s a wonder she can concentrate enough to play the violin. In between singing chanteuse-style, she coos, chuckles, giggles, groans, and babbles, all with great effect. If you can get past the first cut, letting its restrained zaniness poke through, you’re ready for the ride.
Most of the songs are based on Czech poetry, including the tender title cut, which sounds like a love song, but ends up being a paean to a bar of soap. Bolis Me Lasko abruptly changes tone and tempo halfway through; its piano obbligato may leave you scratching your head in bewildered wonder. Bang on a Can members don’t quite cut loose as much they did on a previous CD (Bang on a Can Meets Kyaw Kyaw Naing); indeed, some of their cuts sound languid and night-clubby. But there is plenty to recommend this disc, like the slow tease of Hopahop Talita before it almost tips over the edge.
The one thing I don’t like about this Adventureland ride of a CD is its length (46:32). Call me a hidebound crab tree, but there’s no excuse for a modern disc skimping on its track time--give me fifty-five minutes and I’m happy. Clarinetist Evan Ziporyn could have injected a few wild three- minute solos. As usual, don’t look for program notes on the disc sleeve; they put them here: www.cantaloupemusic.com.
- Peter Bates
A fusion of jazz and alternative rock, Elida is a quirky off-center joy, one that reveals new surprises with each listening. I’ll go farther than that: it grows wiggly hairy appendages each time you slap it on your machine. Featuring Czech performance artist Iva Bittova and the fun-loving Bang on a Can gang, this CD is so unique, there are few stylistic consistencies surprises between cuts. Bittova puts her mezzo voice through such acrobatics, it’s a wonder she can concentrate enough to play the violin. In between singing chanteuse-style, she coos, chuckles, giggles, groans, and babbles, all with great effect. If you can get past the first cut, letting its restrained zaniness poke through, you’re ready for the ride.
Most of the songs are based on Czech poetry, including the tender title cut, which sounds like a love song, but ends up being a paean to a bar of soap. Bolis Me Lasko abruptly changes tone and tempo halfway through; its piano obbligato may leave you scratching your head in bewildered wonder. Bang on a Can members don’t quite cut loose as much they did on a previous CD (Bang on a Can Meets Kyaw Kyaw Naing); indeed, some of their cuts sound languid and night-clubby. But there is plenty to recommend this disc, like the slow tease of Hopahop Talita before it almost tips over the edge.
The one thing I don’t like about this Adventureland ride of a CD is its length (46:32). Call me a hidebound crab tree, but there’s no excuse for a modern disc skimping on its track time--give me fifty-five minutes and I’m happy. Clarinetist Evan Ziporyn could have injected a few wild three- minute solos. As usual, don’t look for program notes on the disc sleeve; they put them here: www.cantaloupemusic.com.
- Peter Bates
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