Gavin Bonner - Of Beast and Kings, Skins and Strings CD

Cape Towns Gavin Bonners Of Beasts and Kings, Skins and Strings is a brave and inspired endeavour that brings storytelling and music together. Its an acquired taste if youre not used to the lone voice without any accompaniment on a disc. He tells his stories with interludes of music.

His live shows such as Telling Stories and Rapid Fire Fairytales (which made its debut in Joburg this year) are similar in that he tells his stories with music in-between.

But the most exciting thing about seeing him live is his improvisational skills. He asks for random words from his audience and makes up a story from them in a matter of seconds. Theres soul in his anecdotes and you find that same treatment here.

He erases the misconception that storytelling is only for children and the stories range from simple to majestic tales. The organic music feeds off from that with soulful instruments such as the viola, percussion, guitar, African mouth bow and the qanoon.

The music is arranged in a way that allows it to breathe with a sense of serenity.

EAN: 6007326001821

NOT ON LABEL/SELF-RELEASED

NEW/SEALED

C03