Variety of mood Music for cello, with BASIL RAMSEY Orange Dawg    ODP-VC101 Orange Dawg    ODP-VC102

Two CDs by Aaron Von Cello present the cello as the principal in a rock ensemble [listen -- 'Von Cello Rules!' track 2, 0:00-0:59] devoted to a collection of his songs. For a start, this music is uninhibited, drawing plentifully from the lightweight and somewhat swingy end of the spectrum. It thus avoids any hint of stodge and keeps momentum engaged.

There is no strong character to mark each item, more a variety of mood in a generalised way, linked of course to the texts. I would imagine there to be a public who would enjoy this collection of songs, although a lengthy stay with these CDs does isolate the mannerisms that inevitably lurk just below the surface. Some familiar tunes from the past are intentionally included [listen -- 'Breaking The Sound Barriers' track 7, 4:00-4:52], with no harm done. One ponders the question of a ready market, but skill and enthusiasm have generated this undertaking to the point where its good features are focussed towards enthusiasts for the genre, and there must be plenty of them worldwide.

For help listening to the sound extracts here, please refer to our questions & answers page.

Record Box is Music & Vision's regular Saturday series of shorter CD reviews