They've played with everyone from Kanye West to Six60, and Ladyhawke to the APO, but last night the stylistically diverse Black Quartet got to curate their own show, bringing in special guests Lawrence Arabia (James Milne), Tiny Ruins (Hollie Fullbrook), and Rob Ruha, whom they've performed with in the past.
It was an evening of charming variety, ranging from the greatest classical hits medley with which the quartet opened (Vivaldi, Bach etc), through the dreamy originals from Lawrence Arabia and Tiny Ruins, the slightly reggae-inflected more political works of Rob Ruha, and on to some wide ranging covers, from The Beatles to AHA and Jimi Hendrix.
Woven between the modern classics were pieces by Philip Glass and Ravel, arranged to incorporate recent hits like Gotye's Somebody That I Used To Know, which was a pizzicato delight, and a tribute to Bowie.
The easy groove of Lawrence Arabia's Travelling Shoes, and a new song, which he dubbed "a meditation on the temptations of bourgeoise living" were well suited to the string arrangements, creating a hazy, winsome effect.
Tiny Ruins tracks Me At The Museum, and Kings County were equally evocative, her distinctive vocal tones entwining beautifully with the strings.
