Richard Carr/Caleb Burhans/Clarice Jensen | August Dreams
(Independent)
Before they disappear into illegibility, Richard Carr’s liner notes to August Dreams begin: “The music included herein is the result of adventurous risk taking.” Listening to the lush, placid, quiescent harmonies on this new recording, you could be forgiven for thinking otherwise. While the results may not be exactly perilous, Rosendale-based violinist-pianist Carr, violinist-violist Burhans, and cellist Jensen have created sumptuous, stately pieces which draw upon improvisation, effects processing and multi-track recording. The works are rich with sonority on tracks like “Satellite” and reserved pizzicato/piano rhythmic interplay on the aptly named “Kindness.” Tracks are further enhanced by occasional uncredited percussion as on “Deep in the Seventh” and thoughtful basslines contributed by Carr’s son Ben AKA the celebrated producer Carrtoons. These brief string-drenched reveries make for calming listening during an overheated spell on the planet.
