Curlew

Curlew: Mercury

by AAJ Staff
October 5, 2003

Curlew is a long-standing revolving fusion unit with deep roots, drawing heavily from New York's alternative music scene over 24 years and nine records. Curlew has developed a cult following of sorts, driven by saxophonist George Cartwright's enduring vision. Cartwright contributes about half of the compositions on Mercury and some of the record's most energetic playing, though there aren't any notable weaknesses elsewhere in the quintet.

By the time the brief and ironically titled "Still" erupts from ...

Curlew: North America

by Glenn Astarita
April 4, 2003

The original North America LP was issued for the Moers record label back in 1986. Thankfully, Cuneiform Records has released this gem along with several tracks culled from a 1983 performance at the New York City venue known as Mort’s Place.

Curlew was in the vortex of New York’s early '80s “downtown scene,” thanks to an enticingly unique blend of rock, free-jazz and soul-drenched inclinations. This outing features some downright scorching work from saxophonist/leader George Cartwright, the ...

Curlew: "Meet The Curlews!"

by John Eyles
July 11, 2002

Curlew have never been a band to rest on their laurels or to milk a successful formula. Across two decades and their eight albums to date, they have constantly changed personnel and instrumentation, and explored an ever-evolving musical territory. On Meet The Curlews!, long-time members George Cartwright and Davey Williams welcome newcomers Bruce Golden, Fred Chalenor and Chris Parker. The resulting line-up is about as conventional as Curlew get. Gone are the cello, the vocals, the Ornette-meets-Stax funkiness, the twin ...

Curlew: Fabulous Drop

by Glenn Astarita
March 1, 1998

Downtown crew have been around for quite some time despite various personnel changes over the years. Noted for being cerebral, daring and at times avant-garde, they frequently amaze audiences with their unique stylings. Leader and saxophonist George Cartwright produced Fabulous Drop under the fine Cuneiform label.

This follow-up to their rollicking 1996 release Paradise expands on the pulsing rhythms, free improv and to some degree, traces of older “avant Curlew" resurface. The proceedings begin with the Cartwright-penned tune “August." Cartwright ...

Curlew Founder/Saxophonist George Cartwright Interviewed at All About Jazz

Source: John Kelman
September 13, 2010

George Cartwright can't be forgotten. The triple sax threat is part of the archaeology of modern New York. The downtown scene, just like New Orleans or 52 Street, has its mythology, and, as much as John Zorn, Cartwright figures in that, having come to the city fresh out of The Creative Music Studio in Woodstock, New York in the late 1970s, bringing with him his trio featuring the equally crucial percussionist David Moss and reed player Michael Lytle. Curlew came ...
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Curlew - A Beautiful Western Saddle (1993, 2010 Reissue CD+DVD)

Source: Something Else!
August 22, 2010

By Pico Before there was Sonic Youth, before there was Radiohead, Material, The Flaming Lips or the Animal Collective, there was Curlew. Founded by saxophonist/composer George Cartwright in 1979, Curlew soon became an incubator for just about every important name in the the New York downtown experimental music scene that thrived in the 80s and 90s. Kenny Wollesen, Fred Frith, Wayne Horvitz and Bill Laswell as passed through this seminal band before leading better-known projects of their own. But as ...
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