If you've been in the Valley a few years, you've probably heard the name Gideon Freudmann. Freudmann is the purveyor of a peculiar and interesting brand of cello playing he calls "cellobop," in which he plays his electric cello through a slew of looping pedals and effects. This allows him to build compositions with just one instrument (and a non-chordal one at that).
The results of all that looping and playful string-bowing are often compelling, haunting pieces. It proved a perfect fit for his scoring of the old film The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (he's still in the accompaniment habit, working with other films). He was interviewed on NPR, and his music can still sometimes be heard there between segments.
Freudmann packed up his cello and headed to Portland, Ore. a few years ago. Inevitably, perhaps, he has formed a new musical group there. It's called Caravan Gogh, and sports the unusual instrumental lineup of cello, guitar, bass and ukulele plus vocals. The group plays everything from cellobop-style musings to upbeat swing.
You can hear the Caravan go at their website (www.caravangogh.com) and on Youtube, where you'll find the group's latest effort, a tongue-in-cheek tune called "I Write My Blog."
