DROMEDARY QUARTET releases “STICKS AND STONES” in 2008


Overview of the CD


Co-founders Rob McMaken and Andrew Reissiger continue to play their mixture of stringed instruments from all corners of the globe, but now with the deep acoustic rhythm section of jazz bassist Chris Enghauser and New Orleans drummer Louis Romanos.  Entitled "Sticks and Stones,” this album was recorded live in the front room of an old house in Athens, GA. 


The sound of this recording is energized and intimate, and the collection of new compositions is ambitious -- floating between lands as far apart as West Africa, the Andes, Eastern Europe, New York City, and the American South.   Fans of Dromedary's catalogue will note that "Sticks and Stones" has a more aggressive edge, though the performances maintain the balanced and organic sound that they have become known for over the years.    

American World Music

the

new CD

The State of Dromedary in 2008


Originally birthed in Athens, GA in 1999, Dromedary has been spreading their unique brand of improvised "world music...whatever that means" all over the world since then, having played over 600 shows in North America and Europe over the last 9 years.


The last two years have marked a major change for Dromedary, as co-founder Reissiger moved to California, and percussionist Louis Romanos (aided by the winds of Hurricane Katrina) moved to Athens.  Always lightweight travelers, Dromedary continues to travel back and forth for short tours.  And though a coast-to-coast move usually marks the end of a band, “Dromedary is too good to give up,” says Reissiger, and McMaken adds, “I think we’re in it for the long haul, regardless of where we live.”


The New Rhythm Section


Percussionist Louis Romanos and McMaken (the other co-founder of Dromedary) established their musical kinship in New Orleans in the mid-1990s, and this was easily rekindled when Romanos relocated to Athens a few years ago.  Though primarily a jazz drummer (one of New Orleans’ finest), Romanos constructed an eclectic set of hand percussion to fit into Dromedary’s sound.  “Honestly, my time spent with Louis in New Orleans listening to live music and playing together was what made me the musician I am today,” says McMaken.  “It is an honor to get to keep playing and learning from him.”


Since the addition of Romanos to the Dromedary family, acoustic bassist Chris Enghauser has been brought into the mix as well.  Originally from New Jersey, Enghauser arrived in Athens via Seattle and even Nashville, having played with jazz and bluegrass legends over the last few decades.  “Chris’s playing clearly drives this record,” says McMaken.  On earlier Dromedary releases, the lack of rhythm section gave the duo a certain freedom:  they erased downbeats, alternated between rhythmic feels and played with instrumental conventions.  “We never thought it would be possible to bring in a bassist and drummer and have it still sound like Dromedary,” says McMaken “but then we met Chris and Lou.”  And it all made sense. 


The Recording


The quartet’s performances on “Sticks and Stones” is both sophisticated and earthbound.  The entire album was recorded live in an open room in the summertime, and it sounds that way.           


Compositionally and performance-wise, it is certainly Dromedary’s most impressive to date, and the “telepathic improvisation” that Dromedary (the duo) developed over the last 8 years is heightened in these quartet performances.     


Sure, much has been said about the utter uniqueness of Dromedary’s compositional style, but the music will tell you all that needs to be told.  The novelty of Dromedary’s multi-instrumentalism and globetrotting genre-mixing has given way to a mature kind of music that sounds like it comes from its own culture.  Which, in essence, it does.


DROMEDARY QUARTET


Andrew Reissiger – electric guitars, charango, nylon-string guitar

Rob McMaken – mandolin, cumbus, Appalachian dulcimer, Martin

    acoustic guitar, nylon-string guitar

Louis Romanos – cajon, djembe, hand and foot percussion

Chris Enghauser – standup bass

is here!