World Music Album Reviews

Black Silk (EP) : Madame XD

Wei Xiao Dong (Madame XD) is a Chinese Erhu player who very capably mixes both traditional and modern sounds into a very interesting album - Black Silk.For those who are unsure, the Erhu is a 2-string Chinese violin and is generally found in traditional Chinese folk music.

Wei Xiao Dong was accepted into Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing at the age of 11 and 10 years later earned her degree.

Since moving to the USA in 2005, Wei Xiao Dong began working with various musicians and formed the Alternative-Chamber Music trio made up of a Bluegrass guitarist, a mandolin player and herself on Erhu. The trio mixed Bluegrass music with traditional Chinese music and original tunes by the Progressive-Rock mandolinist, Paul Ossy.

Her most recent band is Madame XD a 5 piece group in which she plays Erhu, Guzheng, Pipa, cello, piano, percussion and sings in Mandarin and English.

It is with this band that she recorded the EP - Black Silk - an eclectic mix of traditional sounds and progressive rock music.

Black Silk is hard to classify - it's likely to appeal to those who remember Nico's singing from The Velvet Underground (XD has been compared to Nico) as well those who enjoy Indie music.

One moment the Erhu floats across and Madame XD sings in Mandarin - you'd think you were listening to a traditional Chinese album (Black Silk) - the next minute there are driving backbeats and rock/blues riffs taking over (She's In China). The final track Sorrow of Separation with it's ambient atmosphere reminds me of modern Clannad songs.

The album has a lot variety and is certainly quite interesting. It would be good to hear the full album once it's done to hear all the tracks in context.

The video clip is Madame XD and her band on Fox TV recorded March 2008.

Madame XD also has several CD's of traditional Chinese Erhu music available for sale on her website and CD Baby if that's more your style.

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