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Five tracks of enthusiastic European roots rhythms from this quintet, destined to lift the weariest souls and have us all dance-floor bound before we know it. Centuries of tradition collide with contemporary styles throughout the songs. Stimulating and eternal. Musician - Spring 2006 Edition The light side of life (Saturday 18 June 2005) The Venn Festival Malcolm X Centre, Bristol "Bristol's own Malarchy warm up the Malcolm X Centre with a lively and rousing set of eastern European-influenced folk music. The five-piece consists of guitar, violin, accordion, bass, and percussion and only very occasional singing or whooping. They are at their best when, halfway through the set, they launch into some Klezmer - guitar, bass and percussion combine into one powerful and infectious rhythm section, encapsulating nightfall and its mysteries and allowing the violin and accordion more freedom to explore the music and scales. The players of these two instruments sound as though they have been playing together for a long time, such is their precision and sensitivity to each other. This style of music seems to have an appeal as near to universal as anything I have yet heard - the raw emotional impact seems to transcend cultural and national boundaries. Perhaps this is not surprising, given that the Gypsies and the Jews who gave so much to this music must be two of the most travelled peoples in the world. In any case, Malarchy prove themselves fine exponents of the tradition." Dan Glazebrook writing in the Morning Star Malarchy play a devious brew of trans-European travelling sounds, stirring spirits and guiding lovers onto higher plains. Lynton this week, Glastonbury next, this is a thoroughly top-notch outfit. Malarchy are the history of rhythm and harmony, topped off with measures of jazz and moonlight. Lynton and Lynmouth Festival There's an anarchic precision about their start time (8.45pm) that's very Malarchy - like asking for £10.35 cashback. The wild world-folk trio of Nell Farrally, Cris Pierssené, and Russ Oroonie (fiddle, guitar and percussion respectively) have cherrypicked the range of European traditions, mixing Klezmer with Gypsy elements from Transylvania to the Hot Club de Paris. If it's kicking enough they'll give it a go - and they have enough musicianship to pull it off… ...they're bound to pull in a good crowd so get there early. Venue magazine Yet more Eastern European influenced folk stuff from Malarchy of Bristol. Two tunes of fabulous violin & choppy guitar chords. As a non-musician I was mesmerised by watching the guitarist play incredibly fast chords as both harmonics and percussion. Frome Acoustic Club Reviews Frenetic acoustic trio who plunder the traditions of Europe and beyond to fuel their global rhythm habit: the incendiary mixture that results succeeds because they're damn fine musicians. Venue magazine Electric folk music... Bath Star ...high-energy and big on entertainment value… ...should be reliably wild. Venue magazine A kicking acoustic whirlwind... Venue magazine |