the Parkdale Revolutionary Orchestra

In 1977 playing punk rock in a small bar was pretty punk rock. In 2007 nothing could be much more punk rock than playing classical music in a small bar (especially if you add in classical reworkings of Brian Eno.) So, I've added the Parkdale Revolutionary Orchestra to the band blogs.

For those of you who haven't heard of the Parkdale Revolutionary Orchestra (and I hadn't until recently, though they are right down the road from me) I'll start with a quote from the June, 2007 issue of Exclaim Magazine.

"Take new music opera, reduce the instrumentation to a manageable and mobile six-piece group and play bars, not stuffy, self-important venues for the self-appointed intelligentsia, and you've got a handle on the 'revolutionary' part of the Parkdale Revolutionary Orchestra. Founded in 2006 by composer/lyricist Benjamin Mueller-Heaslip, the group has two strings, soprano saxophone, drums and bass, and soprano vocalist Kristin Mueller-Heaslip.

The eponymously-titled EP features 4 representative pieces from the ensemble's considerable repertoire. The first song, "Imposter", based on lyrics by darkster Karl Mohr, features a melodic line passionately delivered by Kristin over Reich/Glass-like ostinato string lines. Soprano saxophonist Jennifer Wardle's crystal clear tone imbues "Recurrents" with a glistening sheen as string lines form a tapestry of shimmering patterns.

In a musical genre known for feeding from government grant troughs, the Parkdale Revolutionary Orchestra is making a bold and courageous statement by bypassing established outlets and playing for audiences where they go to have fun and a little adventure. What a concept!"

But, that's not all. As the picture above shows, they have been known to perform with aerialists (Camille Greenstein in this case) and are currently looking for a few good poets.

So, now that you're all fascinated and impressed you can hear some samples on P.R.O.'s Myspace or their home page.