GLEN KNIEBEISS + CHRIS SPRAGUE

'Resonance' own label, no catalogue number.

Resonance is that rare thing, a truly creative and unexpected crossing of different cultures. The CD contains pieces from or inspired by India and the Arab world, so the CD is ostensibly a fusion of music from these civilizations, but it's real identity comes from the musical personalities of Australians Kniebeiss and Sprague. Both players started as guitarists but went on to explore the world outside Australia, with Kniebeiss becoming an Indian tabla specialist and Sprague turning his hand to various stringed instruments; here he playes the oud and mandocello. Both are very good players indeed- their playing reflects a studied knowledge of different techniques and styles, and they can both play to virtuoso standard. Sprague is especially adept at using the oud to evoke Indian instruments such as the sarod, and the mandocello really does recall the santur. Kniebeiss is a very melodic player, and the tabla is the ideal vehicle for that gift; track 6, Teentaal Kayda, is as much a vocal, harmonic statement as it is a drum solo.

What distinguishes this CD is that Kniebeiss and Sprague are confident enough in their abilities not to merely replicate tradition and imitate Indian and Arab players but to incorporate their own personalities into what they do. So, in the traditional pieces, they discover moods and nuances that would not be explored in the traditional context, and in their own compositions they are respectful of established forms and boundaries but strong enough to extend beyond these where necessary; the joint composition, Summah Sonk, illustrates this perfectly. When outsiders enter the world of traditional music there is always pressure to conform, to become a virtuoso clone, but these two Australians eloquently point the way forward.
Available via www.indie-cds.com

back to bio page
home