BOUD DEUN
''ASTRONOMY MADE EASY''
JANUARY 21 1997
51:47
1. December 17th/3:25
2. Good King Friday/2:40
3. Spiders/4:59
4. Sleeping/1:20
5. Neither/2:57
6. Copper Ink/9:54
7. Coversation With Ellis/3:46
8. Coal Boxes and Daisy Cutters/3:39
9. Lincoln/5:27
10. Jupiter/7:45
11. The Miller's Tale/1:21
12. The Quince Tree/5:07
REVIEW
by Glenn Astarita
The Virginia-based quartet known as Boud Deun render an amalgamation of '70s-style progressive rock along with asymmetrical doses of fusion on their inaugural release for Cuneiform Records. No doubt, this is high-octane stuff, as the musicians' surge forward with contemporary motivations while conjuring up notions of King Crimson amid some of the fireworks and pounding polyrhythms exhibited by the Mahavishnu Orchestra. On this 1997 effort, listeners are treated to guitarist Shawn Persinger and violinist Greg Hiser's blistering unison lines atop a plethora of twists, turns, and burgeoning undercurrents. However, it is not all about pyrotechnics and cutting contests, as the compositional frameworks enable the musicians to expound upon previously explored motifs via a series of tightly coordinated arrangements. One minor complaint here is that drummer Rocky Cancelose's kit may have been mixed a bit too high during the engineering process, as he inadvertently contends with the soloists, although this may be a matter of preference. Nevertheless, progressive rock needs more outfits like Boud Deun.
BIOGRAPHY
by Jim Dorsch
Formed in 1994 in Warrenton, Va., the instrumental quartet Boud Deun has built a reputation for its virtuoso playing and spirited live performances. The group attracts listeners of all ages and interests. Boud Deun's music reflects rapid-fire playing reminiscent of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, the lyricism of the Dixie Dregs and the dark angularity of King Crimson, but one can also hear punk, bluegrass and classical elements.
Guitarist and composer Shawn Persinger graduated from the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, Calif. in 1992. His influences include Leo Kottke, AC/DC's Angus Young and John McLaughlin. Bassist and composer Matt Eiland played saxophone as a child, switching to bass guitar at age 15. He played in Weak Old Rice, a DC-area metal fusion band, in 1991-1992. He is a jazz studies major at the Shenandoah University Music Conservatory.
Violinist Greg Hiser studied from 1985 to 1987 with Andrej Grabier, Concert Master of the Wichita Symphony. He has performed around Washington, DC with bluegrass bands New Mountain and Virginia and the Blue Dots. Drummer Rocky Cancelose has studied at the Drummers Collective in New York City.
The group released Fiction & Several Days on its own E.H.P. label in late 1995. Cuneiform issued Astronomy Made Easy in 1997. A General Observation: The Live Album was released in 1998 on E.H.P., as was The Stolen Bicycle on Cuneiform. The band was slated for inclusion on a Shanachie compilation CD, tentatively titled The Gobi Compilation, in 1998.
ABOUT
Not since Happy Family's debut has a 1st release on Cuneiform been so eagerly anticipated. Boud Deun are a frankly amazing D.C. area quartet of guitar, violin, bass & drums. Why amazing? Because they play intelligent, undefinable, sometimes unbelievably fast paced progressive/fusion music & they gig constantly up & down the East Coast, which is pratically unheard of! All this performing has made them into one of the tightest bands you could ever hope for; these guys can stop & start on a match-head. With interesting compositions, terrific group dynamics & great playing from all members.
"Anything this excellent is hard to review without being reduced to giggles & a sheer state of awe. Yes it's that good...1997's top release"-Exposé.
"I have played it repeatedly...Brilliant. Although it's very easy to say this right now, I believe this will hold up as one of the best releases of this year."-Mike Taylor, editor, Gibraltar.
"This progressive rock, jazz, fusion beauty is ASTONISHING! Do not let this ballistic treat slip through your fingers."-Fantastic Voyage System.
''ASTRONOMY MADE EASY''
JANUARY 21 1997
51:47
1. December 17th/3:25
2. Good King Friday/2:40
3. Spiders/4:59
4. Sleeping/1:20
5. Neither/2:57
6. Copper Ink/9:54
7. Coversation With Ellis/3:46
8. Coal Boxes and Daisy Cutters/3:39
9. Lincoln/5:27
10. Jupiter/7:45
11. The Miller's Tale/1:21
12. The Quince Tree/5:07
REVIEW
by Glenn Astarita
The Virginia-based quartet known as Boud Deun render an amalgamation of '70s-style progressive rock along with asymmetrical doses of fusion on their inaugural release for Cuneiform Records. No doubt, this is high-octane stuff, as the musicians' surge forward with contemporary motivations while conjuring up notions of King Crimson amid some of the fireworks and pounding polyrhythms exhibited by the Mahavishnu Orchestra. On this 1997 effort, listeners are treated to guitarist Shawn Persinger and violinist Greg Hiser's blistering unison lines atop a plethora of twists, turns, and burgeoning undercurrents. However, it is not all about pyrotechnics and cutting contests, as the compositional frameworks enable the musicians to expound upon previously explored motifs via a series of tightly coordinated arrangements. One minor complaint here is that drummer Rocky Cancelose's kit may have been mixed a bit too high during the engineering process, as he inadvertently contends with the soloists, although this may be a matter of preference. Nevertheless, progressive rock needs more outfits like Boud Deun.
BIOGRAPHY
by Jim Dorsch
Formed in 1994 in Warrenton, Va., the instrumental quartet Boud Deun has built a reputation for its virtuoso playing and spirited live performances. The group attracts listeners of all ages and interests. Boud Deun's music reflects rapid-fire playing reminiscent of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, the lyricism of the Dixie Dregs and the dark angularity of King Crimson, but one can also hear punk, bluegrass and classical elements.
Guitarist and composer Shawn Persinger graduated from the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, Calif. in 1992. His influences include Leo Kottke, AC/DC's Angus Young and John McLaughlin. Bassist and composer Matt Eiland played saxophone as a child, switching to bass guitar at age 15. He played in Weak Old Rice, a DC-area metal fusion band, in 1991-1992. He is a jazz studies major at the Shenandoah University Music Conservatory.
Violinist Greg Hiser studied from 1985 to 1987 with Andrej Grabier, Concert Master of the Wichita Symphony. He has performed around Washington, DC with bluegrass bands New Mountain and Virginia and the Blue Dots. Drummer Rocky Cancelose has studied at the Drummers Collective in New York City.
The group released Fiction & Several Days on its own E.H.P. label in late 1995. Cuneiform issued Astronomy Made Easy in 1997. A General Observation: The Live Album was released in 1998 on E.H.P., as was The Stolen Bicycle on Cuneiform. The band was slated for inclusion on a Shanachie compilation CD, tentatively titled The Gobi Compilation, in 1998.
ABOUT
Not since Happy Family's debut has a 1st release on Cuneiform been so eagerly anticipated. Boud Deun are a frankly amazing D.C. area quartet of guitar, violin, bass & drums. Why amazing? Because they play intelligent, undefinable, sometimes unbelievably fast paced progressive/fusion music & they gig constantly up & down the East Coast, which is pratically unheard of! All this performing has made them into one of the tightest bands you could ever hope for; these guys can stop & start on a match-head. With interesting compositions, terrific group dynamics & great playing from all members.
"Anything this excellent is hard to review without being reduced to giggles & a sheer state of awe. Yes it's that good...1997's top release"-Exposé.
"I have played it repeatedly...Brilliant. Although it's very easy to say this right now, I believe this will hold up as one of the best releases of this year."-Mike Taylor, editor, Gibraltar.
"This progressive rock, jazz, fusion beauty is ASTONISHING! Do not let this ballistic treat slip through your fingers."-Fantastic Voyage System.
