March 13, 2006
Oh dear – not only is Sophie Solomon tall, willowy, blonde and extremely charismatic, but she’s the best violinist I’ve heard live since Nigel Kennedy. And she’s got a degree in History and Russian from Oxford! Some people, eh?
Though only 27 (and looking more like 20), Sophie Solomon seems to have lived several lifetimes already. Learning violin from age two, she grew up imbued with Yiddish culture, playing with Klezmer-beats crossover group Oi Va Voi! but also fitting in hard house DJing in London and Russia (having discovered raving on a family trip to Moscow aged 14). ‘Hardcore’ is indeed the word that springs to mind - fiercely intelligent, Sophie looks like she lives life to the fullest, and her playing sounds like a joyous, seamless expression of this.
Not knowing whether to expect a full rock-out, some serious classical stuff, acoustic folkiness, accompanied soloing or a full band meant that the slate was relatively clean at the start of proceedings. Excellent local trio The Thumb Quintet (dubious maths aside) got things going with their dreamily pretty soundscapes reminiscent of all things tinkly (from Lemon Jelly to Jim O’Rourke and the music from Trumpton), all done with just two guitars, laptop and cello. Pleasant listening at all times (except possibly when the laptop leapt to deafening levels and the band waited for the soundman to respond to their pleas for less volume).
Sophie had a full band after all, and ‘rocking gypsy dance jazz’ might be a rough description of the style. As stunning as her playing (so perfect that she risked sounding like she was miming – particularly when she played from the hip whilst posturing and sneering like a charming female Mick Jagger) was the fact that the other musicians were also so clearly exceptionally talented. As a bassist, it’s always a treat to see an upright providing the rocking bedrock to a great track, but it was even better to see it alongside a pianist with two keyboards and a glockenspiel, a giant button accordion played with the aplomb of a seasoned cabaret artist, a lead acoustic guitar played as if by a Greek troubadour by a chap with an excellent voice (leading on two numbers), and a drummer playing with consummate skill whilst looking like a enthusiastic monkey. All this, but none of your too-serious ‘I’m a real muso y’know’ attitude – everyone looked like they were having a jolly good time, and dagnabbit, it was catching.
With touches of Oi Va Voi, the Gotan Project (on speed), some nameless trad jazz band from the roaring twenties and god knows what else, it was hard to keep still and impossible not to smile as the band rocked effortlessly through a range of complex tunes (including one learned by Solomon from eastern European gypsies on an oil tanker). You’d never have guessed that the troupe had been gigging late in London the night before and dashed to Oxford after appearing on Radio 4’s ‘Loose Ends’ that very morning. Generally promoting the current album ‘Poison Sweet Madeira’ (and encoring with the excellent title track of the same name), featuring KT Tunstall amongst other guest artists, Sophie’s all over the place with various combinations of different artists over the next few months (catch her at nearby Wychwood music festival this June), and if you get the chance to see her, I can’t recommend highly enough that you do so.
Listen at www.sophiesolomon.com or www.myspace.com/thisissophiesolomon
Though only 27 (and looking more like 20), Sophie Solomon seems to have lived several lifetimes already. Learning violin from age two, she grew up imbued with Yiddish culture, playing with Klezmer-beats crossover group Oi Va Voi! but also fitting in hard house DJing in London and Russia (having discovered raving on a family trip to Moscow aged 14). ‘Hardcore’ is indeed the word that springs to mind - fiercely intelligent, Sophie looks like she lives life to the fullest, and her playing sounds like a joyous, seamless expression of this.
Not knowing whether to expect a full rock-out, some serious classical stuff, acoustic folkiness, accompanied soloing or a full band meant that the slate was relatively clean at the start of proceedings. Excellent local trio The Thumb Quintet (dubious maths aside) got things going with their dreamily pretty soundscapes reminiscent of all things tinkly (from Lemon Jelly to Jim O’Rourke and the music from Trumpton), all done with just two guitars, laptop and cello. Pleasant listening at all times (except possibly when the laptop leapt to deafening levels and the band waited for the soundman to respond to their pleas for less volume).
Sophie had a full band after all, and ‘rocking gypsy dance jazz’ might be a rough description of the style. As stunning as her playing (so perfect that she risked sounding like she was miming – particularly when she played from the hip whilst posturing and sneering like a charming female Mick Jagger) was the fact that the other musicians were also so clearly exceptionally talented. As a bassist, it’s always a treat to see an upright providing the rocking bedrock to a great track, but it was even better to see it alongside a pianist with two keyboards and a glockenspiel, a giant button accordion played with the aplomb of a seasoned cabaret artist, a lead acoustic guitar played as if by a Greek troubadour by a chap with an excellent voice (leading on two numbers), and a drummer playing with consummate skill whilst looking like a enthusiastic monkey. All this, but none of your too-serious ‘I’m a real muso y’know’ attitude – everyone looked like they were having a jolly good time, and dagnabbit, it was catching.
With touches of Oi Va Voi, the Gotan Project (on speed), some nameless trad jazz band from the roaring twenties and god knows what else, it was hard to keep still and impossible not to smile as the band rocked effortlessly through a range of complex tunes (including one learned by Solomon from eastern European gypsies on an oil tanker). You’d never have guessed that the troupe had been gigging late in London the night before and dashed to Oxford after appearing on Radio 4’s ‘Loose Ends’ that very morning. Generally promoting the current album ‘Poison Sweet Madeira’ (and encoring with the excellent title track of the same name), featuring KT Tunstall amongst other guest artists, Sophie’s all over the place with various combinations of different artists over the next few months (catch her at nearby Wychwood music festival this June), and if you get the chance to see her, I can’t recommend highly enough that you do so.
Listen at www.sophiesolomon.com or www.myspace.com/thisissophiesolomon