Thursday, March 15, 2007

Gratowski, Blair, and The Bally Who

I saw German saxophonist Frank Gratowski, guitarist Rob Cambre, bassist and percussionist Bill Hunzinger, and drummer Endre Landsnes perform at the Hi Ho Lounge last night, and it was pretty great. If I find the beat in that kind of freakout, avant, free jazz kind of show, I feel like I've cracked a code. It's somehow doubly rewarding to rock out to such nebulous music.

The quartet set up in a circle on the ground floor of the club and played three long(15 + minutes each) songs. The show started with Gratowski and Hunzinger adapting to each other. The playing was violent but not loud. Hunzinger picked around the bridge of his double bass in spurts while Gratowski matched him with horn blasts. Though each player in the group was supremely liberated in their technique(Cambre played with a bow, Landsnes played with brushes and mini cymbals, and Gratowski used an alto, a soprano, and a long sax I didn't recognize), Hunzinger seemed a little nuttier than the rest. He had a whole set up of alternative percussion that consisted of foil, mini cymbals, metal, and woodblocks. It was cool when he wrapped the bridge of his bass in foil, afterwards picking at it with his bow to make strange noises.

The whole set was improvised, though the players did a very good job of slowly building the songs until they exploded near the end. The songs were normally loose and searching at the beginning, progressing until everyone had sped up and turned up, resulting in a frenzy. Though from watching the show it was obvious why Gratowski was lauded and that he could probably play anything he put his mind to, it shouldn't be ignored or passed over that we have one of the best drummers in the world right here in our own backyard. Landsnes is no Elvin Jones, but he's only in his early 30's. He's already gotten so far with such raw talent that I could see him progressing much further.


DAN THE AUTOMATOR


It's official. Dan "The Automator" Nakamura, known for his work with Gorillaz, Kool Keith, Cibo Matto, Dr. Octagon, Blues Explosion, Deltron 3030, Handsome Boy Modeling School, and Galactic, will perform as a member of Peeping Tom on April 2nd at The House of Blues. Dub Trio opens.

LIVENEWORLEANS.COM PRESENTS PEEPING TOM FEATURING MIKE PATTON AND DAN THE AUTOMATOR PLUS DUB TRIO
Monday, April 2nd
House of Blues
8 p.m.

Be one of the first five people to name three other bands Mike Patton has been in and you'll get free tickets to the show. E-mail your full name with subject title "Peeping Tom" to jason@liveneworleans.com.


THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE QUEEN TICKETS


Speaking of tickets, we have free tickets to The Good, The Bad, and The Queen Sunday night at the Republic. Just e-mail your full name to jason@liveneworleans.com with subject line "The Good, Bad, and The Queen"


BLAIR


I got a listen to Blair Gimma's new four song EP, and I enjoyed it. She sounds better on record with a full band than she does alone. Live is a different story. Her solo acoustic sets can be powerful.

Combine her heartwrenchingly angelic voice with catchy melodies and you've got a...winning combination.

"Allow myself to introduce...myself!"

The first song reminds me of Liz Phair, while the second is sadder and more country-like, complete with locomotive brush beat. On the third, the prowess of her backing band comes into play. The color on this EP is beautiful and subtle. Either much time was spent on the arrangement, or someone did a really good job mixing it. The mixer was Mike Napolitano, and it was produced by Keith Ferguson. The line-up:

Blair--vocals, guitar
Keith Ferguson--guitar, keys, percussion
Adam Campagna--guitar, keys
Arthur Mintz--percussion, trombone
Peter Harris--double bass
Dwight Breeland--pedal steel

I may be crazy, but I feel like Blair could push her voice a little further. Even though she can hit those high notes, she could sound even better. I bet she's one of those people whose voice gets better with age.

The album was recorded at Piety and mastered by Bruce Barielle. Expect to hear it on TUL.


WORLD LEADER PRETEND


New World Leader Pretend demos are available for consumption at myspace.com/wlpband.


THE JUNIOR LEAGUE


I'm the new drummer for The Junior League. The next show is March 31st at the Circle Bar for TUL's CD Release Party. Also performing will be Broken Smokes, Lefty Parker with MC Trachiotomy, and The Black Rose Band.


THE BALLY WHO


The Bally Who's first full-length release, "Keep on Dawn," is a monster. It's 15 tracks and 78 minutes long. The longest is 10 minutes.

For two guys, Rene and Jacques Duffourc, that have existed on the outside of New Orleans consciousness, this CD is quite an accomplishment. I hesitate to lay too much hyperbole on it, because I'm a little too close to it and because I've only listened to it four times, but DAMN!

I knew these guys were capable of this. I remember seeing a play around '98 or '99 in the theatre at Canal Place. I was taken with the pre-recorded soundtrack. It sounded like the flip image of Radiohead--all the quality but just different enough to not seem derivative. Jacques had done it, and since then, I've been waiting to hear something like that soundtrack again. This release doesn't sound like the soundtrack, since there are two people involved, but there are still traces of Radiohead and Pink Floyd in it. This record also sound-checks TV on the Radio and Queen. Oh, man, the ridiculous harmonics and bombast of one guitar part is very Brian May.

Rockin' metal guitar moments are rare. Rather, "Keep on Dawn" is mostly hypnotic and ambient, without going too far into electronica never-never land. Guitar is always present, but there are many layers and effectsand atmospherics on top of it. This album is a mantra. Phrases and words repeat over and over. It's motivational and inspirational, but it also focuses heavily on love and the regret that comes along with it.

This is a very New Orleans album. Sounds from cars riding on the underpass, parades, storms, and even Nagin's infamous WWL interview litter it.

The highlight of the album is when Bryan Spitzfaden reads a verbatim account from runner Roger Bannister about his world record. The monologue plays over music that mirrors the happenings in the tale. And, actually, the whole album has video that accompanies it. I believe the band will release it with video.

The song is about how people can accomplish the impossible if they have the will. The song makes my hairs stand on end.

I can't say when the album will be out, but look for it in the next two months.

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