The Duet / Formerly known (and obviously still known) as the Bottom Line Duo

Bottomline is what makes Encore one of the best things going on in Wainwright
Reporter: admin Monday, March 2, 2009 at 9:55AM
Printed in the Wainwright EDGE, February 27.

Encore Review, by Roger Holmes

Bottomline’s Spencer Hoveskeland, above and his wife Tracy, below, make up the Bottomline Duo, who played last weekend during Encore.A bare stage, one chair, two people, a cello, a double bass violin and a single mike. This was the evening more than a few folks thought they would not like.

This was not country music, this was not a singer with a band, this was not even a piano player. This was what Encore does best. This was a surprise.

Spencer Hoveskeland and his wife Tracy slowly drew the Wainwright Encore audience in with classical music on simple instruments played with extraordinary skill.

The voice and range of Tracy’s cello filled the theatre with such warmth and fullness with out any electronic amplification that it made one feel that this is how music should really be listened to.

Spencer was able to bring an astounding range of clean high notes and sweeping deep lows from his double bass. He made the point that his bass is really from the viola family whereas the cello is from the violin family.

What was refreshing with Spencer and the bass was that he used a bow on the string for most of his playing. The bass we most often see in popular music is played only by plucking the string much like a an overgrown base guitar.

Bowing the bass produced deep strong tones with a surprisingly exciting high range.

The performers, known as the Bottomline Duo, were engaging not only by their talent on their instruments. Tracy’s quick smile and Spencer’s clever wit and musical wisdom took the audience from polite applause in the beginning to a full warm standing ovation by the end of the evening.

While the Encore Society is sometimes criticized for playing too safe with its choice of performers for the Wainwright audience, Bottomline Duo has proven the people of Wainwright look to Encore to help them expand their experience and appreciation of live music and entertainment. And that, folks, is the Bottomline.

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This pair was a great hit in Raymond a couple of years ago. I'm only one of a 7-member board for Sunday Afternoon Live, but I sure hope we can entice them back at some future time. They are gifted musicians, and a delightful couple who light up the stage. As a writer, I wish I knew where Spencer purchased his wit! Love you guys ... - Star News Canada

Bottomline is what makes Encore one of the best things going on in Wainwright
Reporter: admin Monday, March 2, 2009 at 9:55AM
Printed in the Wainwright EDGE, February 27.

Encore Review, by Roger Holmes

Bottomline’s Spencer Hoveskeland, above and his wife Tracy, below, make up the Bottomline Duo, who played last weekend during Encore.A bare stage, one chair, two people, a cello, a double bass violin and a single mike. This was the evening more than a few folks thought they would not like.

This was not country music, this was not a singer with a band, this was not even a piano player. This was what Encore does best. This was a surprise.

Spencer Hoveskeland and his wife Tracy slowly drew the Wainwright Encore audience in with classical music on simple instruments played with extraordinary skill.

The voice and range of Tracy’s cello filled the theatre with such warmth and fullness with out any electronic amplification that it made one feel that this is how music should really be listened to.

Spencer was able to bring an astounding range of clean high notes and sweeping deep lows from his double bass. He made the point that his bass is really from the viola family whereas the cello is from the violin family.

What was refreshing with Spencer and the bass was that he used a bow on the string for most of his playing. The bass we most often see in popular music is played only by plucking the string much like a an overgrown base guitar.

Bowing the bass produced deep strong tones with a surprisingly exciting high range.

The performers, known as the Bottomline Duo, were engaging not only by their talent on their instruments. Tracy’s quick smile and Spencer’s clever wit and musical wisdom took the audience from polite applause in the beginning to a full warm standing ovation by the end of the evening.

While the Encore Society is sometimes criticized for playing too safe with its choice of performers for the Wainwright audience, Bottomline Duo has proven the people of Wainwright look to Encore to help them expand their experience and appreciation of live music and entertainment. And that, folks, is the Bottomline.

1 Comment
Share | Email | Print

Email Article to Friend

Reader Comments (1)
This pair was a great hit in Raymond a couple of years ago. I'm only one of a 7-member board for Sunday Afternoon Live, but I sure hope we can entice them back at some future time. They are gifted musicians, and a delightful couple who light up the stage. As a writer, I wish I knew where Spencer purchased his wit! Love you guys ... - Star News Canada