Metamorphosis

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First released in an unassuming, self-published version, the good people at New Albion with their discriminating taste caught the buzz and refused to let Joan Jeanrenaud hide her light under an Internet-order only bushel, giving 'Metamorphosis' the wider commercial release it deserves.

If Jeanrenaud needs any presentation, then you don't read liner notes very closely. She anchored The Kronos Quartet - the world's most inquisitive string quartet ever - for some twenty years with her commanding cello, finally choosing to leave in 1999 to follow her own star. If anyone balks at the idea of a full hour of solo cello, then they ought to be forced into an easy chair to listen to 'Metamorphosis' and have their eyes and ears opened. Jeanrenaud complements her both bold and graceful stroking and plucking of the instrument with judiciously applied electronics, computer aids and overdubbed or "looped celli" on all six stellar tracks.

These tracks are by Philip Glass, Hamza El Din, Joan herself and composers Steve Mackey, Karen Tanaka and Mark Grey. Joan's own track mutates amazingly as she adds the above-mentioned "looped celli" sound to an otherwise calm and pretty piece so that by the end you'd swear it was Buckethead soloing. But your fur will be stroked most lusciously by her vigorous interpretation of El Din's "Escalay". An enormously satisfying record.

Round about the same time as this CD saw the light of day, Joan collaborated with pianist Michael Halaas on his fourth solo CD, 'The Lucidity Project' (self-released and available through http://www.birdscanfly.com). Colorado-based Halaas has many years of classical training on his CV as well as a stint with a folk-rock duo. On 'The Lucidity Project' he alternates thunderous expressionism with gentle, New Age introspection. Well-composed - all the pieces are written by Halaas except one entry by Jeanrenaud - and skillfully played, 'The Lucidity Project' manages to range over a plethora of moods while maintaining, through the mountain-air clarity of the piano, a sound of its own and a distinct artistic vision. The duo respond beautifully to one another and it is hoped that this will not be just a one-off affair. And just bye the bye, Halaas designed the lovely jackets for both these CDs.