This recording, writes viola da gamba player Carolyn Surrick in the notes, "exists because of this moment in time. The locked-down, minimalist, intense, and miraculous spring of 2020, which took so much from so many, allowed for this project to come to life with its unexpected creativity, enduring faith, and deep, deep gratitude." Surrick and lutenist Ronn McFarlane found themselves at musical loose ends, without gigs, and decided to play together, and then to record in a free-spirited way, taking up an instrumental pairing, lute and viola da gamba, that occurs only occasionally in Baroque and Renaissance literature. They augment Dowland's Adew for Master Oliver Cromwell (John Dowland) with newly composed works by McFarlane and with arrangements by both players. These are delightfully varied, taking up such works as The Allman Brothers' Little Martha (originally an acoustic guitar solo by Duane Allman, so not as odd as it sounds), Amazing Grace, and Gounod's Ave Maria. Some of the selections veer toward the Celtic folk side, including an intriguing version of Blackwater Slide modeled on one by Scottish musician Bert Jansch. Sono Luminus' sound is, well, luminous, a pleasure throughout. Falling into a class of pandemic-time recordings where musicians rediscovered the enjoyment of home music-making, this is an unusually satisfying example of the genre.
© James Manheim /TiVo