Funny Rat

[Steve Reynolds]

since the Flaherty/Corsano disc was mentioned, I figured I'd paste my recent review here for those who didn't see it elsewhere:

Paul Flaherty-Chris Corsano: The Beloved Music

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Recorded May 4th, 2004 in Louisville, KY

Paul Flaherty: tenor and alto saxophones

Chris Corsano: drums

On Family Vineyard (FV39)

I received a copy of this from Eric Weddle who runs the family vineyard label

Having never heard either of the participants and being in somewhat of a funk as far as listening to

jazz for a variety of reasons (which will follow) I didn’t have much hope that I would be in the mood for this. The reasons being that I am:

1) currently obsessed with listening to Can’s first 4 recordings in a very compulsive way

2) my recent obsessive listening to erstlive 005 (maybe through the whole thing 5 times within 2 weeks) and my obsessive listening of the first disc from the Cloud 2 CD set

3)Not feeling too good about anything over the last 3 or 4 days – infact kind of struggling with acceptance over many things (including myself) over the past few weeks has me in a bit of a rut – and when I’m in a rut, sometimes, I can’t egt with anything different – and even old favorites don’t quench my thirst.

Every time I do start to listen to jazz over the past few weeks, I am not seeming to be in right space for it – even Miles/Trane from 1960 or Dunmall’s Ghostly Thoughts or Hemingway’s The Marmalade King – none were doing it for me.

So feeling full and a bit blue after eating lunch today, I had an empty 45 minutes before going back into the office – so I put this on expecting something on the order of Frank Lowe/Rashied Ali type of thing – or another screaming saxophonist with a bashing drummer doing their version of the sax/drum duo inspired by Interstellar Space 40 years hence.

In the past as many know maybe my favorite jazz/improve format has been variations on the sax-bass-drums trio. Some of my post-Coltrane incarnations have been combinations such as Wilkinson-Fell-Hession, Parker-Guy-Lytton, Anderson-Parker-Drake, Brotzmann-Parker-Drake, Brotzmann-Hokins-Ali, Gayle-Parker-Ali, Dunmall-Rogers-Norton, Lacy-Avenel-Betsch, Perelman-Duval-Rosen or anyone with Morris and Charles.And anything with Peter Kowald and a good drummer and a good saxophonist – the Anderson trio set with Drake comes to mind as a very fruitful and rewarding listen.

I think most of you who don’t know me get a bit of the point. In fact, if I go back about 3 or 4 years, I might have been as fanatical about much of this sort of music as anyone who posted here.

However, besides a few things like the Parker-Prevost duo, “Most Materiall”, I often found (and find) sax-drum duets (especially) blow-outs lacking in variation and dearly missed what the great modern bassists often bring to these occasions – really always the glue that would give what otherwise might be almost meaningless emotive playing a purpose.

More recently I seem not to be as attracted to this sort of thing – I sure hope it doesn’t come from listening to Paul or Brian (let alone Jon) – but I have been more interested lately in the jazz (more recent jazz at least) that I listen to – to hear for more subtlety that fire in the jazz I do listen to.

And then I heard this. It is not so much that this wasn’t kind of what I was expecting – it might be that I didn’t know that there was:

1) a saxophone player who could play like this – this type of visceral and intense stuff – even moreso than a guy like Perelman – and have a fullness of tone – and pack it all in so tightly. Not taking his time ala Dunmall – but keeping a melodic sense as Dunmall is wont to do. And having the kind of awesome control of his instrument with jazz dropping intensity. And yes – unrelenting through the 42 minutes (and I love 40-something minute discs – nothing better than wanting for more – not much worse than waiting for a disc to end – as one might know that the rest might be the same as what had come before.

2) Didn’t know a drummer like Chris Corsano existed. Simply said, the most explosive powerful drummer of this sort I have ever heard. Has changed my paradigm as to what is possible playing free jazz on the drum kit. And yes – he is kind of a basher – and despite how powerful he is with Flaherty – the two solos – particularly the one that opens the middle 18 minute piece – is pretty much 6 minutes of sonic bliss. Never heard a drum solo like this before

damn - nice to write something like this about this disc

Never thought I would write any of this about this disc. I was execting something *like* something I had heard before. The liners talk about Corsano channeling Denis Charles through some other sort of experiences - but the only thing I hear is some kind of nuclear force drummer. And I have long railed against some of the drummers who bash - usually can't take it anymore - I usually lean towards guys like Paul Lovens, Tony Oxley or Mark Sanders. In fact, I have oftne been dissapointed by the younger drummers who have played at events like the Vision Fest over the years - having seemed to my ears to have only listened to guys like Murray and Graves - and having turned into lesser versions of the grand masters.

Corsano (at least from the evidence here) is a new player on a different plane than anyone else playing this sort of fiery free jazz improvisation - at least that I have heard

5 stars

peace and blessings

[Guest Chaney]

Nice review, Steve, but... 5 stars?

I haven't heard this one but you sure have me curious. Sometime soon I'll place an order with Family Vineyard, get The Belove Music, listen and compare notes.

[Д.Д.]

Steve, just as you I am becoming less and less interested in listening to fire-music scream-fests - but I am also somehow attacted to what Flaherty is doing. I think his music comes across as something very sincere - and when it is so purely emotional, it somehow avoids sounding trite, even if everything new in his chosen idiom has been already eloquently enough said 30 years ago. I think this sincerety distinguishes Flaherty from those by-default derivative "free" saxophonists like Murray, Ware, Gayle, Finn, and (sorry) - more often than not - Dunmall.

Edited March 7, 2006 by Д.Д.

[Д.Д.]

Beloved or Hated, that is the question.

[Chuck Nessa]

Steve, just as you I am becoming less and less interested in listening to fire-music scream-fests

Do you consider this "growth"? Or is it a passing "phase"? How exactly do you relate to music?

[clifford_thornton]

There are times when I feel the need to listen to other things, but at the end of the day, fire music is still what I enjoy the most. Which is more inclusive than a lot of other subgenres, I'd say...

[jon abbey]

Which is more inclusive than a lot of other subgenres, I'd say...

what's that mean exactly?

[David Ayers]

Steve, just as you I am becoming less and less interested in listening to fire-music scream-fests

Do you consider this "growth"? Or is it a passing "phase"? How exactly do you relate to music?

Good question which deserves a whole thread to itself I should have thought!

[Д.Д.]

From EMANEM:

Emanem new releases - available March 15:

TERRY DAY ‘Interruptions’ (1978-1981) - Emanem 4125

Terry Day was a compelling force on a wide variety of instruments (before ill health curtailed much of his activity in the late 1980s) as can be heard on these 29 solo improvisations and multi-tracks performed on piano, keyboards, alto & soprano saxophones, bamboo pipes, drums, percussion, cello, mandolin, home made instruments, balloons, toys, African thumb piano, voice, Chinese flutes, plastic trumpet, and a Michel Waisvisz crackle box. (There are also cameo appearances by Peter Cusack and Davey Payne on 3 punk rock songs.)

77 minutes – all previously unissued.

Psi new releases - available March 15:

RUDI MAHALL ‘Solo’ (2005) - Psi 06.01

The first solo record by the Berlin based master of the bass clarinet.

56 minutes.

EVAN PARKER OCTET ‘Crossing the River’ (2005) - Psi 06.02

Groups in the range septet to tentet are increasingly possible, given the long term commitment to free improvisation from London based musicians. This CD features two extended octet improvisations by NEIL METCALFE (flute), JOHN RANGECROFT (clarinet), EVAN PARKER (tenor saxophone), PHILIPP WACHSMANN (violin), MARCIO MATTOS (cello), JOHN EDWARDS (bass), JOHN RUSSELL (guitar), and AGUSTН FERNБNDEZ (piano) - plus a sting quintet, and some short trios and duos.

77 minutes.

All Emanem & Psi CDs are now available except 4002, 4015 & 4067 which are currently out of stock.

Also available for sale at the same price as Emanem CDs:

‘ACOUSTIC TRIO’ Treader TRD004

JOHN COXON (piano, guitar), EDDIE PRЙVOST (percussion), ASHLEY WALES (objects) 2004

‘JOHN TCHICAI WITH STRINGS’ Treader TRD005

JOHN TCHICAI (bass clarinet, alto sax, voice), JOHN COXON (piano, guitar, samples, etc), ASHLEY WALES (samples, percussion, etc) with MARK SANDERS (percussion), 2005

[P.L.M]

PAUL FLAHERTY & MARC EDWARDS: KAIVALYA VOL.1 (Cadence)

Recorded October 03 at PBS Studio.

A very good "Fire Music" records (in my opinion).

From the lines of the booklet written by PAUL FLAHERTY:

"Free music players are born, not made. Why else would someone travel this road, if they didn't have to. So I figured out, in my mid-twenties, that I was a free player. This was the type of music that made me feel at home... Improvisation directing the whole ball of wax. It really wasn't a choice."

Edited March 9, 2006 by P.L.M

[Guest Chaney]

An eBay seller (not me) with some nice items at nice prices...

I'm bidding on The Cortet HHHH Electro acoustic John Butcher so HANDS OFF that one. -_-

[Д.Д.]

I'm bidding on The Cortet HHHH Electro acoustic John Butcher so HANDS OFF that one. -_-

Don't worry, Tony - my focus at e-bay is somewhat different.

[John B]

Thanks for the link Chaney! I bid on the AMM, Korber, Trio Sowari and Necks cds.

I left the Cortet action alone.

Edited March 11, 2006 by John B

[Guest Chaney]

Just some news and a few new releases spotted 'round the 'net:

It appears that Blossoms: Farewell Concerts Lacy to Europe is now available from Afkikker at (ouch) €140.

The Blossoms Concerts

'Blossoms' was a cycle of 10 concerts in 10 days, and formed Lacy's way of saying farewell to Europe after a thirty-year stay in Paris.

The cycle of concerts started on Steve's birthday, the 23rd of July 2002 in Ghent, and ended on the first of August in Antwerp. All the concerts took place in different places in Belgium, each time with different musical partners. Surrounded by his most loyal fans and friends, Lacy could express himself fully. The music was rich in construction and content, and always adjusted to the specific moment and context.

In Ghent we invited Shiro Daimon, a Japanese dancer. In Brussels there was Free music with Fred Van Hove and the Art-song with Irene Aebi, who gave also a double concert in Loppem (Heidelberg). With classical violist Michail Bezverhny there was another concert in Ghent. In café Belga in Brussels there was a courageous dialogue 'One More Time' with improvisor Joëlle Léandre. Solo concerts were performed in Mons, (Zebrapad) and Brussels. The cycle closed on the Free Music Festival in Antwerp with avant-gardist Frederic Rzewski.

~~~~~~~~~~

New on Absinth Records:

SERGE BAGHDASSARIANS / BORIS BALTSCHUN / BURKHARD BEINS

New on Intakt:

A second and third releases from NEMU Records:

(These look really good.)

Edited March 11, 2006 by Chaney

[Д.Д.]

I like the Absinth design...

Talking of design, got the Trio Caveat release:

So, the CD "case" is a sheet of dense paper, folded and held together by a string. Inside the liners are printed on a transparent plastic.

More importantly, the music is good. Slow slow stuff. Every sound is placed carefully, as if reluctantly. All instruments (tenor - bass - drums) sounding beautiful. Recommended.

[Guest Chaney]

Sounds like they're doing that microtonal thang. (I see Joe Maneri cited on a resume.)

David: How do you manage to find these gems at CD Baby? Do you have a search stragedy?

For me, CD Baby is a very unwieldy site. Or maybe I just don't have the patience to browse. (Reminds me of when I visit the old brick 'n mortar to shop for anything at all. It's like a commando raid: get in, accomplish the mission as efficiently as possible, and get the hell out. If anyone is unfortunate or unwise enough to get in my way, s/he's quickly and quietly snuffed with either an evil stare or, if s/he gets sassy, vicious, curt words. Needless to say, I shop alone.)

Edited March 12, 2006 by Chaney

[Д.Д.]

Sounds like they're doing that microtonal thang. (I see Joe Maneri cited on a resume.)

David: How do you manage to find these gems at CD Baby? Do you have a search stragedy?

For me, CD Baby is a very unwieldy site. Or maybe I just don't have the patience to browse. (Reminds me of when I visit the old brick 'n mortar to shop for anything at all. It's like a commando raid: get in, accomplish the mission as efficiently as possible, and get the hell out.)

I am a big fan of CDBaby - for generous samples (and you can listen to all samples from a disc on one click), for really unique selection, for $5 sale (check out the Pax releases) and for very reasonable shipping rates.

No particular search strategy. I do the Browse -> Free Jazz (or Weird Jazz) and listen to samples. Also, each CD (as well as your cart when you start adding items to it) would have a couple of suggestions links and they are suprisingly relevant.

But I can save you some time - recent additions to my cart (not ordered yet):

http://cdbaby.com/cd/camarda

http://cdbaby.com/cd/sfnptp

http://cdbaby.com/cd/andregoudbeek (you wanted some accordeon, didn't you?)

http://cdbaby.com/cd/meridianae3

http://cdbaby.com/cd/mmgk

http://cdbaby.com/cd/kyriakides

http://cdbaby.com/cd/michalowski

http://cdbaby.com/cd/opsvikjennings

As for Trio Caveat, I don't think they are playing microtonal struff - it is just v e r y s l o w. But good.

Edited March 12, 2006 by Д.Д.

[Д.Д.]

Sicne we are at it, let me thorugh in a couple more CDBaby recommendations form my previous orders (I think I plugged them all at least once already, but what the fuck):

http://cdbaby.com/cd/577records1 - some lyrical stuff, best Danile Carter I've heard so far

http://cdbaby.com/cd/erikfriedlander - solo cello, very impressive

http://cdbaby.com/cd/marktaylor - excelent post-bop stuff; Taylor plays French hord

http://cdbaby.com/cd/klausjanek - solo BASSSSSSSSSS!!!

http://cdbaby.com/cd/curableinterns - this is insane guitar planking

http://cdbaby.com/cd/thracianrhap - Bulgarian folk music; some insane reeds playing

http://cdbaby.com/cd/mackstaller - very pleasant mainstream guitar trio ($5 sale!!! )

http://cdbaby.com/cd/buhler2 - excellent alto saxophone solo. If you like Butcher and early Evan Parker I don't see why you wouldn't like this one

http://cdbaby.com/cd/emtpo - oh yes ($5 sale!!! )

http://cdbaby.com/cd/prasant - Indian music on saxophone. Very impressive. I want more.

http://cdbaby.com/cd/neilleonard - outstanding collection of works for solo saxophone & electronics ($5 sale!!! )

http://cdbaby.com/cd/antonanddan - smart saxophone/trumpet duos ($5 sale!!! )

Edited March 14, 2006 by Д.Д.

[Guest Chaney]

But do they sell ties?

~~~~~~~~~~

An upcoming release from Balance Point Acoustics:

BPA 012 Pepper Spray: Ariel Shibolet/Jen Baker/Damon Smith/Jerome Bryerton

Edited March 12, 2006 by Chaney

[Д.Д.]

An upcoming release from Balance Point Acoustics:

BPA 012 Pepper Spray: Ariel Shibolet/Jen Baker/Damon Smith/Jerome Bryerton

I have Shibolet's solo soprano saxophone disc on Leo: http://www.leorecords.com/lr/w/music/id/CD...142185088M055b/

I listened to it only once and remember being very impressed by technique (Evan Parker+ ), but less so by the ideas. Will revisit the disc soon.

Leo site now has .ogg samples for every track.

Edited March 12, 2006 by Д.Д.

[Guest Chaney]

I just had a listen to some of those Ariel Shibolet (on Leo) samples. Eeeek! Pretty frigid stuff. It'll be interesting to hear how well he plays with others. (I wonder if I can now expect a PM from Mr. Shibolet... :rsly: )

That being said, I wonder if Metal Tube & Consciousness compares favorably with Arcana Major?

And on Jen Baker:

Jen Baker may be the most eclectic trombone player in the world. Just a few genres she performs in are symphonic, contemporary/avant-garde, theatrical trombone solos, free jazz/improvised, alternative rock, Gregorian chant, didgeridoo, and Renaissance music. She grew up on a dairy farm in Jonesville, Michigan, eagerly left home to study the trombone, and now lives in Oakland. Ms. Baker received degrees in music performance from Interlochen Arts Academy, Oberlin Conservatory, and Mills College.

Jen recently played a solo recital of chants and self-composed works at the Meridian Gallery, San Francisco, which she is now planning to record. She received a Meet the Composer grant to commission a theatrical trombone solo with electronics by New York-based composer Patrick Muchmore, and is anticipating the completion of the work soon with East and West coast premieres to follow. She is devoted to generating interest in expanding the traditional repertoire and usage of the trombone. The recently commissioned solo performance of "A Spell for Trombone" by Shigeru Kan-no was "...performed with brilliant mastery and virtuosity by trombonist Jen Baker."

Some notable performances of chamber, solo, and improvised music include appearances at the International Trombone Workshop, Eastern Trombone Workshop, Bach Festival Chamber Music Competition (finalist), National Music Educators Association Chamber Music Competition (finalist), Fort Mason Center in San Francisco, Royal Academy of Music in London, Chapel of the Chimes Summer Solstice Concert in Oakland, and the Thingamajigs Festival in Oakland.

She has performed with Pauline Oliveros, Fred Frith, Cecil Taylor, Robin Eubanks, Alvin Curran, and many others.

In her free time, Jen teaches privately on all brass instruments, piano, and didgeridoo, and coaches brass sectionals. She also teaches K-8 creative music classes at Archway School.

Edited March 12, 2006 by Chaney

[Д.Д.]

Yes, you will receive an e-mail from Ariel informing you that actually he is routinely performing children's lullaby and Christmas carol music, praised by authoritative music critics for their unprecedented warmth.

-------------------------

Have been listening a lot to wonderful Frisque Concordance: "Spellings" (Random Acoustics) recently. Frisque Concordance is:

John Butcher - saxophones

Georg Gräwe - piano

Hans Schneider - bass

Martin Blume - drums

Beautiful music, with Martin Blume shinining in particular. Martin Blume website.

-------------------------

Also, had a first listen to India Cooke: "Redhanded" (Music & Arts). Excellent work.

India Cooke is a violinist with gorgeous lucid tone (reminiscent of Micheal White at his best), and the music is clever creative free jazz with monster band - George Lewis, Larry Ochs, Donald Robinson and Lisle Ellis. Everybody plays wonderfully - Ochs creates great interplay with Cooke with his violin-sounding sopranino, and adds a bit of firebreathing tenor (it's amazing how different his approach on two horns is), Lewis is flamboyant and very inventive and the rhythm section is invariably solid. Recommended.

Looks like there is not that much by/with Cooke available, but she had a duo release with Joelle Leandre ( ) on Red Toucan, and I am getting it of course (for $12 at indiejazz).

Edited March 12, 2006 by Д.Д.

[king ubu]

Played the two Karayorgis Leos I have, "Blood Ballad" and "Heart and Sack" - very good, in my opinion! I was a bit familiar with the drummer already, but Nate McBride on bass was quite a surprise! Nice wooden sound. And Karayorgis himself is pretty good as well.

Also played the Enja, "Aki & the Good Boys" by Aki Takase. Fun disc, not a great one, but a good performance, no less. Mahall is there again, too, and I still like him. I think I needed to see him live to really get what he's doing on discs...

[Guest Chaney]

Yes, you will receive an e-mail from Ariel informing you that actually he is routinely performing children's lullaby and Christmas carol music, praised by authoritative music critics for their unprecedented warmth.

~~~~~~~~~~

As a reminder to anyone else loving that SanFran Bay Area sound, be sure to tune in to:

Current play list:

15:50:46 Kihlstedt+Robair+Sperry_SonarchyTrio_3 **

15:46:54 MatthewSperry+JackWright_Duets1998_2

15:24:39 CliffCaruthers_Natoma

15:24:16 JohnShiurba+ScottRosenberg_OneLiners_6

14:40:05 MathiasSpahlinger_passage

14:37:23 JackWright_UpForGrabs_TheWhoItIs

14:23:56 DajuinYao_CinnebarRedDrizzle

14:20:57 Moe!kestra!_PieceNo5_02

13:43:16 FredFrith_Live@ACME_Feb04

13:42:29 JohnShiurba+ScottRosenberg_OneLiners_8

13:32:37 JohnShiurba_5x5_1.1.1mp3

13:27:41 CherylLeonard_Topos_Esker

13:20:54 MathiasSpahlinger_morendo

13:12:30 MatthewSperry_FudgeBridges_MintMeltaway

13:12:05 TomDissevelt_PopularElectronics_RhythmicTapeLoop

13:08:08 JohnButcher+GinoRobair_NewOaklandBurr_ThroatRust

13:01:33 ButcherRobairSperry_12Milagritos_labio

12:52:36 ChrisBurns_QuestionsAndFissures

12:50:01 Porest_PrudeJuice_KumerMeridian

12:47:47 Porest_IRememberSYRIA_NationalAnthemSignOff

** lIMItEd SEdItION

~~~~~~~~~~

Two new releases on psi:

RUDI MAHALL: SOLO

The first solo record by the Berlin based master of the bass clarinet.

EVAN PARKER OCTET: CROSSING THE RIVER

Groups in the range septet to tentet are increasingly possible, given the long term commitment to free improvisation from London based musicians. This CD features two extended octet improvisations by NEIL METCALFE (flute), JOHN RANGECROFT (clarinet), EVAN PARKER (tenor saxophone), PHILIPP WACHSMANN (violin), MARCIO MATTOS (cello), JOHN EDWARDS (bass), JOHN RUSSELL (guitar), and AGUSTÍ FERNÁNDEZ (piano) - plus a sting quintet, and some short trios and duos.

I'm feeling very centered today.

Edited March 14, 2006 by Chaney

[Д.Д.]

As a reminder to anyone else loving that SanFran Bay Area sound, be sure to tune in to:

Can't get it to play on my computer.

It's OK, I have a couple of sealed CDs still. As I am now a proud posessor of a CD Stripper (see picture attached), appreciating new music is becoming easier and easier.

Why not go for this solo Sonny Simmons on Parallactic that's been sitting around here unlistened for ages?

Edit: Simmons didn't go too well. It actually sounded quite good (except for Simmons' piercing tone), but not for this time (it's 2AM and I am working). So I went for this one:

And this is exactly what I needed right now.

You fellas are also into medieval vocal music, aren't you?

Edited March 14, 2006 by Д.Д.