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Tarfumes.com - Short Trip Home
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List Price: $17.98
Our Price: $17.98
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Sony
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0074646086421
Label: Sony
Manufacturer: Sony
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Sony
Release Date: 1999-09-07
Studio: Sony
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Editorial Reviews:
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Bassist-composer Edgar Meyer is no stranger to genre "crossover"--he's created moving string quartet works, recorded a classical album with bluegrass greats, and, of course, earned his chops on the folk scene. But Short Trip Home, Meyer's collaboration with violinist Joshua Bell (and bluegrass musicians Sam Bush and Mike Marshall), might be one of his most effective projects yet--a successful mix of bluegrass, improv jamming, and chamber music. The lovely title track is a moving, solitary piece, with Joshua Bell doing most of the lyrical work. "BP" is as close to a bluegrass jam as anything on this disc, with Bell's fiddle, the duo mandolins, and Meyer's bass all working together in a syncopated frenzy. "Death by Triple Fiddle" ends this disc on a thundering note--a "breakdown" if ever there was one. If you loved Meyer's work with Yo-Yo Ma on Appalachian Waltz, or perhaps just want to hear one very sublime, genre-fusing take on Americana themes, this disc is perfect for you. --Jason Verlinde
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Great Album!
Comment: I am a fan of Joshua Bell and I was not disappointed by this album. One of my favorite CDs right now.
Customer Rating:
Summary: One-of-a-kind Great!
Comment: I wasn't expecting to like this very much. Although I really enjoy classical music, when it comes to bluegrass or country type of stuff, I don't look for virtuso playing or musical subtlety, but more for a more superficial, foot-stomping good time. This album doesn't really fit either category, but it has it's own great flavor. Mostly, it's due to Edgar Meyers, I guess. He composed it mostly & he does things on the bass that I never heard the like of before. Of course the other musicians add a lot-it's not just a showcase for Joshua Bell, as I was expecting it to be; Sam Bush & Mike Marshall both add their unique genius to bear. It has it's good foot-stomping pieces (Death by Triple Fiddle!) but also has some really good nearly classical pieces. This is a one-of-a-kind album that I've listened to dozens of times since getting it a couple months ago.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Short Trip Home
Comment: I am sorry to say that this album did not meet my expectations . For such great artists there is a disturbing sameness to all the tunes. I listened to the CD numerous times thinking that maybe I am missing something but alas...like Miles Davis once said "This is some boring s...."
Sorry if I offended anyone out there and my apologizes to the artists.
Customer Rating:
Summary: best of its genre
Comment: I have long been a "newgrass" fan, following the likes of David Grisman, Bela Fleck, Sam Bush, et al, for more than two decades. I have admired their craftsmanship, their passion, their virtuosity. Over the years, some of these gifted musicians have left the "newgrass" field, whether for brief journeys to other genres, or adopting that new style of music entirely. It is no surprise that some have gravitated to classical music: these guys are incredibly accomplished musicians, with the chops to make it happen. Thus, we see, eg, a Mark O'Connor move almost exclusively to the classical field. Edgar Meyer, who of course was classically trained to begin with, has spent virtually all of his time in that realm over the past decade. Cross-over, as others have observed, is a horse of a different color. Efforts to play in another's ballpark have yielded inconsistent results. For my money, eg, Edgar's collaboration with Bela & Mike Marshall, is largely unsuccessful. Some of the O'connor/ Meyer / Yo Yo Ma pieces are brilliant; others lag badly. Attempts to infuse those disks with further pop sensability by adding the occasional vocal by James Taylor or Allison Krauss fall flat. Which brings us to Short Trip Home. This is, in my opinion, the best of the bluegrass/classical crossover genre. Meyer's compositional brilliance take center stage. The title track speaks of Copland in a simple, understated way. Hang Hang will get you rocking in a way classical music seldom does. If I knew sighs & weeps, and is brilliantly evocative. Death by Triple Fiddle is a workout for all of the players (and a wonder to see live). Throughout, Joshua Bell's playing is a delight. For me, some of the duos are a bit of a drag at the end of the disk: the pieces seemed a little empty without Sam Bush's mandolin and Mike Marshall's guitar work. But I quibble. If you are a fan of newgrass music, you probably already have this disk: if not, get it. I can't speak from the perspective of a classical fan coming to the crossover from that background, but I can say that anyone who is openminded toward great music should find something to enjoy here.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Very Solid
Comment: I was pleasantly surprised by this album. I must admit that when I bought it, I was caught up in the "O' Brother, Where art thou?" frenzy - so after the first playing of this disc I was momentarily struck by one of those, "what the heck did I order THIS for" moments. While there is an obvious Appalachian influence, this is not a collection of old-time thigh slapping tunes. This is well constructed, beautiful instrumental (only) music with a Blue Ridge flavor. It's even possible to say that there is more of a New Age feel here than a Southen one. The music is mostly upbeat, though there is a nice mix of fast and slow tunes. This album will appeal to those who are more inclined towards classical music than those who are inclined to 1930s and 40s traditional Bluegrass. God bless you if you're inclined to both.
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