Rauelsson with Peter Broderick – Replica

Created for the vinyl medium, Replica encompasses two long works, held together by plaintive cobwebs that bridge each finely tuned piece of introspective folk and fragile, whispered vocals into a remarkable whole.

Spanish-born, Portland OR-based Raúl Pastor Medall, otherwise known as Rauelsson, began working with Peter Broderick at a distance, sending work back and forth through the mail with one another before convening in person to hone and create their quietly engaging collaboration.

Broderick’s solitary string arrangement marks the arrival of “El Lobo, la Liebre y la Panza del Burro”, a sidelong work comprised of smaller vignettes, each nestling into the listener’s ears with the warmth of a cozy fire. A gently-plucked, or strummed, acoustic guitar is central to each part, as Rauelsson composes lovely lines of licks to bring the listener closer to the music and lyrics, sung in espanol, yet in such an understated, emotive way that make them intelligible to those of an unfamiliar tongue. The heart allows one to discern what is being sung and the music evokes such a poignant breadth of emotion, one can’t help but be affected by what transpires. At times, a piano saunters in, a cello meanders through, Heather Woods Broderick appears armed with a flute, Peter sings along, Rauelsson orchestrates the proceedings with ease, and every piece is integral to the whole.

Side B presents the listener with “Un Castillo, un Molino, un Mapa y un Plan”, a wonderful, slowly churning work that begins with an unassuming string of piano notes, coupled with a burgeoning violin maneuvering just below it, allowing the sustained notes to linger in the air just long enough to pause and reflect. The violin fades, yet triumphantly returns before everything reaches a standstill and Rauelsson’s voice picks us up from the emptiness. Broderick, bridges each song within the whole with simple, elegiac interludes, emphasizing the interconnectedness of each part through the use of violin and other instruments. His voice is also a welcome accompaniment to that of Rauelsson, and together they elicit the undercurrent of sentiment welling up beneath the music.

For Replica, Rauelsson and Peter Broderick have created a very moving work and, as most collaborative albums feel disjointed or uneven, this album feels like the natural extension of two artists with a unifying sensibility.

- Review by Michael Vitrano for Fluid Radio

Pre orders through the HUSH web site and coming soon to Experimedia

www.hushrecords.com
www.rauelsson.com
www.peterbroderick.net