Ellen Fullman's third album,
Change of Direction, culminates her Long String Instrument project, which began in 1981 when she discovered the haunting tones created by long wires stretched over great distances. The Long String Instrument consists of 100 wires strung over a 90-foot span, and is rubbed by three performers for a flowing, resonant sound.
Change of Direction's 11 tracks capitalize on this quality, resulting in songs that sound like ghostly blues. Pieces like "Nocnoca/Aconcon Flip" and "Aconcon Progression" are variations on a theme, set to a walking cadence that is both comforting and eerie. ~ Heather Phares