Take a Dance

One thing Take a Dance will never be called is generic — on this CD, Bare Necessities offers an unorthodox blend of instrumental British folk and classical. It's clear that violinist/viola player Earl Gaddis, violinist/percussionist Mary Lea, flutist/whistle player Peter Barnes and pianist Jacqueline Schwab have spent a lot of time listening to European classical and chamber music, and yet, you won't find anything by Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin or Bach on this album. Rather, the quartet brings a strong classical influence to traditional British folk songs of the 17th and 18th centuries. "Hambleton's Round O," "Saint Margaret's Hill" and "Trip to the Jubilee" have been associated with British country dances since the 18th century, and "Nonesuch" dates back to the 17th century. "Interpret" is the key word here — Bare Necessities doesn't play any of these pieces exactly as they were written, and the group does a lot of improvising. This is a chance-taking album with a lot of charm.