Album of the Week – Ruth Roshan & Tango Noir ‘Stories of Love and Regret’
Eastside Radio is celebrating the third studio release from Ruth Roshan & Tango Noir entitled ‘Stories of Love and Regret’. The record features the group’s distinctively European tango styling’s, igniting a sense of nostalgia for the luxurious French Salon’s of the 1930s. As the title suggests, the album discusses issues of love and lose, all resonating with the human condition, yet given another dimensions with the addition of Roshan’s delicate and intricate voicings.
As a child, Roshan was mesmerised by the tango genre after being introduced to its most pure forms originating in France, a country her parent’s frequented. By the tender age of five, she was learning the mandolin and not long after, she began to ingrain her listening experience into her playing style within Italian and French mandolin chamber groups. It was not until she was exposed to Argentinean tango at 23 that her musical career was set, Roshan found her unique sound and ran with it.
The group released their debut album in August 2009, following the formation of the Melbourne-based Tango Noir quintet with co – founder Amir Farid (pianist). The release introduced the band to the global music scene with a mixture of inspired arrangements of classical compositions by Astor Piazzolla, Roshan’s own original writings and tango infused adaptations of Leonard Cohen and Macy Gray works. The band performed on many a global stage such as the National Folk Festival, Bellingen Global Carnival, Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, Moomba, Macedon Music, Manningham Music and Stonnington Flavours Festival to name a few. Roshan’s solo career has also seen her grace stages with the likes of the Victorian Opera Chamber Orchestra, the Australian Opera and the Saba Iranian Orchestra for projects including Romeo and Juliet, Don Giovanni and alongside international harpsichordist Elizabeth Anderson. Most recently, Roshan was honoured in 2010 by performing her compositions alongside the Russian Remolino Ensemble in St Petersburg.
The album also features the talents of Phil Carroll (Accordion), Aaron Barnden (Violin), Caerwen Martin (Cello) and special guest Philip Rex on Bass.
You can catch Roshan & Tango Noir live on the 20th of February at Randwick Town Hall. Tune in to ‘The Lowedown’, Tuesday 9AM – 10.30AM, with Virgina Lowe for an exclusive interview with Ruth Roshan.
“Beautiful, beautiful music… Silent movies in black and white with smoke drifting across couples embracing to the Tango – this is the scene that Ruth paints with her music.” – Roots & Fusion – Pure Radio (UK)
For more information be sure to head to FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE or at her website www.ruthroshan.com
