Sofresh Tisch
Ladom Ensemble
Lula World Records LWR050A (ladomensemble.bandcamp.com/album/sofreh-tisch)
Canadian Ladom Ensemble is back with its third illustrious release, Sofreh Tisch. The four-member band’s diverse cultural and musical influences are created by founding member pianist Pouya Hamidi from Iran, who is joined by current members cellist Beth Silver of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, Canadian accordionist Michael Bridge, and Canadian percussionist Adam Campbell. They combine their personal musical talents and influences to blend Western classical, klezmer, rock, tango, jazz, East Coast traditional and classical Persian sounds.
The ten diverse tracks are highlighted by each musician’s technical and improvisational expertise. Opening Gegna Taksim was composed by Jewish klezmer composer/violinist Jacob Gegna as an introduction or interlude. Here, with its moving cello melody above a low drone note, and tonal melodies with touches of modern music effects like rapid runs, it leads directly to the next track, Hamidi’s three movement Distance Suite. Inspired by separation.1. Hope opens with cello plucks, repeated notes on the piano, and taps on the accordion like raindrops. Detached chords with conversational legato cello and accordion melodies add drama. Gole Pachal is a Ladom “traditional” take on an Iranian folksong with crashing dramatic instrumental start, high pitched piano, and a memorable, traditional mid piece section with accordion and cello countermelodies.
Together as a “band,” Bridge’s musical accordion lines, Silver’s cello effects/melodies, Campbell’s intense to subtle percussion, and Hamidi’s grounded stylistically diverse piano playing make Sofreh Tisch (meaning “spread” in two senses – the ceremonial table cloth at a celebration, and the feast placed on the cloth) unforgettable.
