Portland Cello Project, Homage

By Jemiah Jefferson

While the sparkly and joyous “Hey Ya!” has long been a part of Portland Cello Project‘s live repertoire, Homage is their first full-length release of cover versions of hip-hop songs (they have done hip-hop covers before, but never a full album). In every case, PCP’s arrangement and performance of the melodies and rhythms found in these chart-smashing hits brings new delight to the listener, both in the chuckle-inducing recognition of the original and in admiration for how smoothly these tracks have been adapted.

Portland Cello Project isn’t new to arranging and playing songs that might not come to mind when you see the words “classical string combo.” Indeed, in all but the most fundamental sense, PCP isn’t classical in the slightest; they just use instruments normally associated with classical music, like kettle drum, flute, brass horn, and of course, multiple cellos. That instrument’s flexible, wide-ranging, soulful voice is uniquely suited for taking on varied compositions, even ones put together by decidedly un-classical artists like Li’l Wayne, OutKast’s Andre 3000, Jay-Z, and the ubiquitous Kanye West.

“Hey Ya!”‘s chorus is now brazen and slightly formal, reminiscent of the use of brass horn on the Sgt. Pepper-era Beatles, but made upbeat by rolling drum patterns, and the verses sing out from a deft hand on the upper strings. The menacing bombast of Kanye and Jay-Z’s “H.A.M.” becomes a graceful dirge at once exciting and inspiring; this is also true of the opening track, the proudly orchestral take on Kanye’s “All of the Lights.”

But the best track overall has to be the version of Talib Kweli’s “Get By,” not simply because it’s the most successful adaptation of a song, but also because the original has plenty of melody to be shared among the various instruments of the PCP, and the result is a funky drum-cello breakdown that makes you put your hands up. The whole album is consistently brilliant, but this is where it blossoms into the kind of party where literally everyone is invited.

Homage is out today on Jealous Butcher Records and is available to order on the band’s website.

Tour Dates:
*with Emily Wells
TU 5/1, MINNEAPOLIS, MN – THE CEDAR *
TH 5/3, MADISON, WI – MAJESTIC THEATER *
FR 5/4, CHICAGO,IL – SCHUBAS *
SA 5/5, CINCINNATI, OH – TAFT THEATER *
MO 5/7, DANVILLE, KY – NORTON CENTER FOR THE ARTS
TU 5/8, ST LOUIS, MO – OLD ROCK HOUSE *
WE 5/9, COLUMBIA, MO – MOJOS *
FR 5/11, BOULDER, CO – FOX THEATER *
TU 5/15, LOS ANGELES, CA – LARGO *
WE 5/16, SANTA CRUZ, CA – THE CREPE PLACE *
TH 5/17, SAN FRANCISCO, CA – SWEDISH AMERICAN HALL *
FR 5/18, SANTA ROSA, CA – WELLS FARGO CTR FOR THE ARTS
SA 5/19, DAVIS, CA – SOPHIA’S
FR 5/25, PORT ANGELES, WA – JUAN DE FUCA Festival of the Arts
SA 5/26, PORT ANGELES, WA – JUAN DE FUCA Festival of the Arts
TU 6/26, NEW YORK, NY – HUDSON SQUARE MUSIC & WINE
WE 6/27, PHILADELPHIA, PA – WORLD CAFÉ LIVE
TH 6/28, ARLINGTON, VA – IOTA CAFE