REVIEW: Twelve Girls Band- Eastern Energy

Twelve Girls Band

Normally I don't touch on many things outside of computer related material, but I've been introduced to a phenomenon from China called The Twelve Girls Band.

If you haven't heard of them before this, stay tuned!

It's hard for me to describe exactly how good this CD really is since I don't have a musical bone in my body, but here goes.....

My exposure to this band was quite by accident. My wife and I adopted daughter from China, and I've been sticking my nose in Chinese related material, trying to keep abreast of the happenings in the Far East, when I stumbled upon their web site.

Comprised of (take a guess) 12 girls, their first North American CD release is called Eastern Energy (and energy it has!) and coincided with their first North American Tour this summer.  Not only are these girls very talented musicians, but also very beautiful!

Instruments consist of the erhu, pipa, Chinese zither, Chinese dulcimer, bamboo flute, and others.  Founded by Wang Xiaojing back in 2001, they were top students at the Chinese Central Conservatory of Music. His main objective was to compile 12 very talented musicians to play both traditional Chinese and Western music using Chinese instruments while maintaining that Western rythym. Mission accomplished Xiaojing!

LABEL: Platia Entertainment USA Inc

RELEASE DATE: August 17, 2004

 

The CD cuts are as follows:

1. Miracle
2. Clocks (Coldplay cover)
3. Liu San Jie
4. Earthly Stars (Unsung Heroes)
5. Freedom
6. Shangri La
7. Reel Around The Sun
8. A Girl's Dream
9. Forbidden City
10. The Great Valley
11. Alamuhan
12. Mountains And Rivers
13. Only Time
14. New Classicism

Although I enjoy the entire CD, my favorite cuts are those in bold.

When played the first cut, Miracle, I was simply blown away by the impressive sounds of traditional Chinese instruments as they played not only Chinese music, but others that I recognized, like Clocks by Coldplay. New Classicism is an modern rendition of classical tunes through the instruments of these talented young women. Freedom is by far the most energetic and vibrant cut on the CD.

No vocals here, just an occasional muttering off in the distance. Of course even if I were to hear it clearly, I'd be damned if I could tell you what they were saying! ;)

The CD can be found on Amazon for under $15, and includes a Bonus DVD (unencrypted), which contains cuts from a live concert in Japan, and a few tidbits about the girls, and a music video. The concert runs undrer 30 minutes. Nothing too fancy in the way of chapters and menus, but it was free, and affords you a look at these girls performing before a huge audience. By watching the concert it's evident that these musicians are passionate about their love for music.

Listening, you come to realize that these girls have managed to turn modern and traditional music into a unique sounding art form, and like nothing you've ever heard before!

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