North Carolina-based group Songs of Water has emerged from the South East with a sound both ancient and modern in an inventive fusion. This six piece sextet, composed primarily of instrumental music, harbors a wide variety of cultural and stylistic influences. The uncommon use of the Appalachian folk instrument, the hammered dulcimer, melodically leads many of the group’s pieces, followed by the resonance of various acoustic instruments and a brooding foundation of heavy percussion. Combining Band Leader, Stephen Roach’s world music influence with the classical background of violinist Marta Richardson, the Spanish infused guitar of co-founder Jason Windsor, and multi-instrumentation of Greg Willette, Luke Skaggs and Michael Pritchard, Songs of Water creates a unique sound that reaches beyond the common mileu.
Mufafa's Kitchen performed at The Evening Muse June 20th 2008
Songs of Water Live at the Tosco Music Party in September 2007
Here's a percussion snippet I found on Youtube, from our recent show at "The Garage" (You never know when you're being filmed.)
Reviews
"A musical fantasia, Songs of Water is an exuberant collection of songs built upon one central theme - the unique mixture of hydrogen and oxygen that is water. "Long Journey Home" uses the resonant rhythms of a hammered dulcimer as an anchor for the rest of the piece, interspersed with violin and percussion in a manner reminiscent of Celtic reels and of sea shanties. "Come to the Well" fuses Celtic elements with a hint of the Greek rembetika, the bluesy bouzouki melodic style that redefined 20th-century Greek music, in a pleasing, though slightly melancholy fashion. The drum, violin, and guitar fuse perfectly with dulcimer in the Middle Eastern-inspired "In Places Forgotten" and "Mufafa's Kitchen," especially in the latter's catchy dulcimer refrain, while "Up From the Depths" slowly undulates with guitar and jazz trumpet, further revealing the versatility of these superb performers.
Stephen Roach, Marta Richardson, and Israel Sarpolus revel in the unique elements of each track, flowing effortlessly from one style and instrument to another as easily as the water they seem to emulate. While each track has its own distinctive flavor, they form a stunning musical tour de force. Not quite folk music, or world music, or New Age, but consistently a delight that transcends genre and location and even time, Songs of Water is easily one of the finest CDs I have heard in several years."
--Richard Mackenzie, Mysteries Magazine, Fall 2006 Vol. 4, 3, Issue 14.
" Instrumental collectives are nothing new, so when you come across a group like Songs of Water, you hope there will be something to set them apart. Sea shanties, perhaps? Even better. This eclectic instrumental ensemble from Greensboro dives into an ocean of exotic instruments and comes up with a truly vibrant and memorable record.What immediately distinguishes this self-titled, self-released, full-length disc is the instrumentation. There are the usual guitars, occasional horns and strings, and even a few instruments you can't pronounce (doumbec, djembe, knaal). But the kicker is the use of hammered dulcimer, something you don't hear too often outside traditional folk groups and craft fairs.Here it's employed to full effect. Far more demanding than its strummable mountain cousin, you might expect a timid phrase or two would be all most could muster, but instead it soars, gracefully darting in and out of the arrangements, deftly coloring the songs with swiftly moving lines and graceful melodies.The group doesn't leave the traditional heritage of its influences entirely behind. The album is wholly acoustic, and numbers such as "When Leaves Are Green" and "Mufafa's Kitchen" immediately call to mind images of the Irish countryside and Middle Eastern vistas, respectively....Where the group really shines is when it places the instruments outside its typical frame of reference, eschewing the musical clichés of a particular folk tradition. The brooding dulcimer build of "In Places Forgotten" and the triumphant gait of "Reverence" are perfect examples....Songs of Water crafts a record utterly beautiful and meticulously presented. The thoughtful listener won't be disappointed. ***1/2"
--Daniel McMillan, Go Triad, Greensboro, NC, December 22, 2005
"This [band] plays instrumental music that wanders far afield from the typical 'alternative' ideal of such fare. As the liner notes say, 'welcome the quiet invitation.' Not many rock bands can use hammered dulcimer as a featured instrument and still keep their focus tight. [This band does] that and more, borrowing from both American roots and world beat influences to create a truly original sound."
--Jon Worley, A&A Magazine, Issue 268
"Songs of Water draw deeply from the pool of world music, dipping into African, Middle Eastern and European styles. Their improv, off-the-cuff approach keeps the music fresh, with several stringed instruments including dulcimer, mandolin, violin and guitar."
--The Independent Weekly, Durham, NC - April 6, 2005
"Songs of Water wowed the crowd so much the band sold out the box of CDs they offered during and after their performance. Their music is different, but in a most wonderful way."
--David Hoggard on Hogg's Blog - May 28, 2005
"Some of the most beautiful music I've ever heard..."
--Alice, Greensboro, NC
"If you only buy one album in the next 12 months make it this one."
--Scott Hart, "Great Places to Find Music", Extreme Church, Las Vegas, Nevada
Songs of Water Here's an eclectic musical ensemble featuring multiple instruments with multiple players. Songs of Water take detours to the musical realms of the Middle East and Asia while collecting multi-cultural sounds along the way with an improv-driven weave of jazz, acoustic, classical and world music. The end result is often gorgeous and contemplative where the compositions are further perked with percussive intonations. (Shukla) - Creative Loafing, Charlotte NC June 18 2008