‘Inner Nature’ - April 1st
Inner Nature is a short and suite EP by George Crotty. This studio creation evokes a lush cello garden abloom with cross-pollinations of Baroque, Celtic, and contemporary sounds that open the heart of the listener. In collaboration with producer Bob Ezrin, Crotty transforms the cello into a self-contained orchestra, embracing a spectrum of moods and personalities that examine modernity and tradition, the nature of love, and his love of nature.
The work features Crotty playing a 5-string violoncello piccolo, a hybrid Baroque era instrument often used in the works of J.S. Bach including his sixth cello suite. The high E string allows the piccolo cello to play music in a higher range including repertoire intended for the violin, or in the right hands, the fiddle. A student of both traditions, Crotty’s melodies employ a slow attack and wistful sound.
Hidden Within opens with a forward-moving plucked continuo and impressionist harmony shifting under a plaintive melody.
Inner Nature drops into a heavy and spacious groove in homage to progressive fiddlers like Darol Anger. Crotty’s floor-fiddle is doubled by thumping cello percussion, a cue from Mr. Ezrin. The Fog is slow air, a distinct musical form in Irish music derived from sean-nós singing. The tune is an open-ended expression of hope.