班鳩琴是美國民間音樂典型的樂器,從四弦到六弦的不同型式,呈現演奏者的挑戰能力。以白人為主的音樂型態,鄉村與草根音樂的表演總少不了這項樂器。但是它的發展卻可能是北美黑人以幾種傳統非洲樂器改良而來。過去以Dixieland為主的爵士演奏風格,深具知名度的Village Stompers樂團,就是班鳩琴主奏的樂團。
諾恩•皮克尼為2006年創團的Punch Brothers樂團創團成員,該團六張專輯有五張名列草根音樂冠軍專輯。2004年諾恩個人第一張專輯『In The Maze』,就獲得高度評價。之後陸續再發行兩張專輯,個人共獲得三項葛萊美獎提名。
2017年最新專輯『普世歡迎』,除了他個人精巧的演奏技巧,同時也加入了歌唱,增添更多音樂色彩。「Old Banjo」、「Sweet Sunny South」兩首傳統歌謠,以及Roger Miller的名曲「I’ve Been A Long Time Leavin’」,他以自彈自唱來創造復古新局。
此外,多首自己譜寫的原創曲,包括「Waveland」、「Sugar Maple」、「Moretown Hop」 與「The Great Falls」都是無伴奏的精彩演出。在錄音中以精湛技巧完成這些獨 奏作品,呈現班鳩琴演奏的多方面能力。無論是鄉村樂迷或流行樂迷,跨越音樂 風格與演奏能力的潮流,將會是未來的趨勢。這也是諾恩•皮克尼以不設限的格局,努力開發新創作的最佳方法。
NOAM PIKELNY has emerged as the preeminent banjoist of his generation. He is a founding member of Punch Brothers, a 3-time Grammy Nominee and was awarded the first annual Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass in 2010. Universal Favorite is the fourth record Noam Pikelny has released under his own name, but it's truly his solo debut. His previous solo efforts—including 2014's landmark Noam Pikelny Plays Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe—were full-band affairs that revealed his abilities as a dynamic bandleader while reinforcing his reputation as an inventive accompanist. The new release features only the man himself, playing lovely originals and covers that showcase his unique approach to the instrument and compositional flair. He recorded them live in the studio without accompaniment, coaxing a wide array of sounds and colors out of his instruments, embracing the challenges and exploring the new possibilities of the solo setting. And, for the first time in his career, Pikelny even sings. It turns out he has a striking deadpan baritone that conveys humor and melancholy in equal measure. This album, he says, is "is the most personal statement I've put forward. The setting couldn't be more stark and I think it lays bare my musical core. Most importantly, it's an incredibly honest solo album, in that there are honestly no other people on this record other than me."
1. Waveland (3:00)
2. Old Banjo (3:27)
3. Sugar Maple (3:55)
4. Folk Bloodbath (6:04)
5. Hen of the Woods (3:14)
6. My Tears Don't Show (2:30)
7. The Great Falls (3:29)
8. Moretown Hop (4:32)
9. Sweet Sunny South (3:55)
10. Redbud (3:24)
11. Bye (1:44)
12. I've Been a Long Time Leavin' (But I'll Be a Long Time Gone) (2:49) |
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