Unlikely combination earns standing ovation
“Montana Skies” wasted no time in establishing themselves as anything but the usual classical duo or rock band.
Less than three minutes into their performance Thursday, cellist Jennifer Adams had begun losing strings on her bow as a result of her aggressive style of play. Her cello showed signs of wear near the neck where she had beat on it as a percussion instrument.
Along with her husband Jonathan Adams on guitar, the two set an unrelenting pace and fervor to their music that did not let up until the final bow.
The two arrived in Charleston as part of the Doudna Fine Arts Center “New and Emerging Artists Series” and left to a standing ovation.
The couple’s repertoire ran the musical gauntlet of genres including Spanish-inspired pieces that would not sound out of place in a spaghetti western to riffs from contemporary Top 40 rock and roll, such as “House of the Rising Sun.”
“This one started with as a three minute cover, but we’re up to about 10 minutes now,” Jonathan Adams said of the popular spiritual-turned-rock tune. “We even worked in a little ‘Devil Went Down To Georgia’ because Jennifer said she wanted to do some Charlie Daniels.”
The members of “Montana Skies” also took time to share their craft and technique to the audience, detailing how they made their unique sound, even offering to let audience members try their instruments after the show.
Jonathan Adams explained part of his creative process to the audience through one of their newest songs called “A Minor Funky.”
“I was thinking the cello part sounded Eastern-European, and Jennifer said it sounded like Zorsky’s ‘Pictures at an Exhibition,’” Jonathan Adams said. “This is Eastern-European meets (rhythm and blues).”
Jennifer Adams said part of what set “Montana Skies” music apart from traditional classical music is the role improvisation plays, a trope present in rock and roll classical audiences do not expect. At one point, the couple turned one song into a riff on The Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby” with little more than a glance and a chord progression.
Will Zukowski, a Charleston resident, said he was really impressed by the improvisation in the show.
“It’s cool to be part of music that is composed while we’re sitting here,” he said.
Alyssa Zukowski, a graduate student, said “Montana Skies” showed her a side of music she had not seen before.
“I’m enthralled, it’s very unique,” she said “The cello is my favorite instrument, I’m really inspired.”
Jennifer Adams said she was with the audience reactions.
“Coming from a classical background, it seemed so insurmountable to improv,” Jennifer Adams said. “It’s not like you’re going to throw rotten tomatoes at us, at least not in a pretty theater like this.”
Andrew Crivilare can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].
