Pancho was a bandit, boys
His horse was fast as polished steel
He wore his gun outside his pants
For all the honest world to feel
Pancho met his match, you know
On the deserts down in Mexico
Nobody heard his dying words
Ah, but that's the way it goes
And all the federales say
They could have had him any day
They only let him hang around
Out of kindness, I suppose
Lefty, he can't sing the blues
All night long like he used to
The dust that Pancho bit down south
Ended up in lefty's mouth
The day they laid poor Pancho low
Lefty split for Ohio
Where he got the bread to go
There ain't nobody knows
An all the federales say
They could have had him any day
They only let him slip away
Out of kindness, I suppose
The poets tell how Pancho fell
And Lefty's living in cheap hotels
The desert's quiet, Cleveland's cold
So the story ends, we're told
Pancho needs your prayers, it's true
Save a few for Lefty too
He just did what he had to do
And now he's growing old
A few great federales say
They could have had him any day
They only let him go so long
Out of kindness, I suppose
A few great federales say
They could have had him any day
They only let him go so long
Out of kindness, I suppose
I’ve been thinking about the way certain songs paint pictures in our minds, telling us stories that as we listen, we become a part of the story by filling in what we feel at the time. For me, this is the magic of songs to inspire us and give us something to hold on to. I discovered this song first, after reading about the legendary Townes van Zandt and that he was the Grandaddy of Texas songwriters. Although I’ve never been to Texas, I do know folks from there (like the Gonzalez family, Thomas Helton, Sandy Ewen & Don White) and I’ve long admired the diverse music that’s come from there: blues, jazz, psych, Tex-Mex, country… Texas songwriters like Terry Allen, Guy Clark, Jerry Jeff Walker, Billy Joe Shaver, Doug Sahm, Roky Erickson and Mickey Newbury, are all heroes of mine. Over the past few years, I’ve been playing several albums by Townes Van Zandt, over and over. I am completely enchanted by many of Townes’ songs. “Pancho and Left” is my favorite and every time I hear it, I was overwhelmed by my emotions. There is weariness captured in this song feels universal, like something we all dread yet still know it is inevitable. Perhaps it is the election that is coming up next Tuesday that worries me. This is an important election so please do your part and vote. Do you want Freedom or Fascism?!?! It seems like a simple choice, but… Peace & Love Always, BLG at DMG
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THE DMG 33rd ANNIVERSARY IN-STORE FREE MUSIC SERIES Continues with:
Tuesday, November 5th (Election Night, Don’t forget to vote!):
6:30: MATT HOLLENBERG - Guitar / DANIEL GALOW - Alto Sax / JON ROSEN - Bass / PATRICK GOLDEN - Drums
7:30: CLAUS BOESSER-FERRARI - Guitar
8:30: K B - Solo Daxophone
9:30: STEVE HIRSH - Drums / STEVE SWELL - Trombone / DANIEL CARTER - Reeds / Trumpet
A RARE Saturday, November 9th event:
3-5pm: BENNETT KELLY Book Release Celebration for his book ‘Sensation Blues’
Tuesday, November 12th:
6:30: LISA MEZZACAPPA - ContraBass / YUMA UESAKA - Woodwinds / JEFF DAVIS - Drums
7:30: NIKITA MANIN - Clarinet
8:30: RICH ROSENTHAL GROUP: THOMAS HEBERER - Trumpet / HILL GREENE - Contrabass / COLIN HINTON - Drums
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THIS WEEK'S DYNAMIC DISCS BEGIN WITH:
JAMES EMERY NEO TRIO with CHRIS JONAS / CYRUS CAMPBELL - Inner Drive (Modern-Sounds; USA) Featuring James Emery on D’Aquisto Excel archtop guitar & compositions, Chris Jonas on tenor & soprano saxes and Cyrus Campbell on contrabass plus guests on one track: David Fortano on percussion and Ed Petersen on flutes & tenor sax. After several decades with the String Trio of New York (1977-2018), Mr. Emery moved to the west coast and released a duo CD with bassist Cyrus Campbell earlier this year. For this new disc, Mr. Emery adds former east coast saxist and Anthony Braxton collaborator, Chris Jonas to Emery’s duo.
“Light of Day” opens with what sounds like a normal jazz theme yet veers off into other territory. Since the guitarist and the bassist have been working together previously, we can hear the way they balance without the use or need for a drummer. Mr. Jonas plays soprano sax here with a warm, thoughtful tone, playing the slightly quirky music with ease. Although Mr. Emery is a virtuosic guitarist, he only shows off his chops in rare times since it is more important to play his music just write. Much of his music has what sound like simple themes which involve numerous challenging detours. Since this is a trio with just 1/2 of the rhythm team, Mr. Emery often plays several roles simultaneously: outlining the themes, providing the rhythmic changes and adding lightning-like spurts in unexpected places. There are several pieces called “Trio Miniature (number)” where the trio play freely in short blasts which also add some mystery as far as their direction. Halfway through this 78 minute CD, I realized how much work has gone into each of the 13 pieces. Mr. Emery plays an acoustic sounding archtop guitar and continually pushes himself and the rest of the trio to their limits with a myriad of challenging ideas. I was completely exhausted by the time this disc ended. Too marvelous for words, perhaps. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD-R $15
ELLIOTT SHARP - Mandorle (zOaR ZCD 172; USA) “Mandorle is the companion album to Sharp’s previous release Mandocello. Mandorle is Italian for almond, the shape of the classical mandolin, and how it was named. These are solo new music pieces played on a variety of acoustic and electric mandolins. The record includes tributes to U Srinivas, Yank Rachell, Frank Wakefield, Tiny Moore, Alvin Lucier, Ira Louvin, and Benoit Mandelbrot. Sharp brings his extended techniques and unique compositional and improvisational strategies to an instrument mostly associated with folk, bluegrass, and European classical music.” - E#
I have long been fascinated with the mandolin, whether hearing it in a bluegrass band or on a Rolling Stones song or performed by jazz guitarist John Abercrombie on an electric mandolin. Reading the liner notes by Elliott Sharp, I realize that different versions of the mandolin (like the lutes barbut, oud and pandura), have been around since the 7th century and have roots in several different countries. In the notes, Mr. Sharp mentions acquiring several inexpensive mandolins in places like Prague and Budapest. Like his previous record, ‘Mandocello’, Mr. Sharp dedicates several songs to musicians & composers that he admires like Frank Wakefield, Tiny Moore, Yank Rachell and U. Srinivas.
Each piece on this disc deals with a different way of playing the different mandolins that Mr. Sharp used on these sessions. “Awake in the Field” is dedicated to bluegrass mandolinist Frank Wakefield, one of the early virtuosos of the mandolin. Mr. Sharp’s mandolin here has a lovely, somewhat fragile tone and rings like bells or harmonics. This piece balances between more nimble and more quietly fractured sounds. I love the way Sharp plays the chords here, each one nuanced, certain ones resonating like angel wings. In just one piece, Mr. Sharp shows an entire history of mandolin playing. One of the things that makes the mandolin unique is the way its doubled strings have their own sound. “The Devil is Real” is dedicated to Ira Louvin of the Louvin Brothers’ bluegrass fame. E# plays a mandolinetto here, and seems to have several fractured lines intersecting in odd ways. Sharp keeps going back and forth between melodic and fractured fragments, perhaps he is showing the balance between good (God) and evil (the devil). “Room 109” is dedicated to experimental composer Alvin Lucier, who is known for recording his compositions is a specific (room) environments. Sharp lets every chord hang in the air to breathe so we can savor each one. At first I wasn’t sure why Mr. Sharp would limit himself to just a mandolin but every piece evokes a different vibe or approach. A tour-de-force for forward looking acoustic string lovers everywhere. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $14
KIRA KIRA with NASUKI TAMURA / ALISTER SPENCE / SATOKO FUJII / TATSUYA YOSHIDA - Kira Kira Live (Alister Spence Music 015; Australia) Featuring Natsuki Tamura on trumpet, Alister Spence on Fender Rhodes, pedals & preparations, Satoko Fujii on prepared piano and Tatsuya Yoshida on drums. Mostly recorded in Japan in Tokyo & Nagoya in January of 2024. I first heard of Australian keyboardist, Alister Spence, when he recorded with Myra Melford and Phillip Johnston, several years back. More recently Mr. Spence, recorded an orchestra and a duo effort with Satoko Fujii. For this disc Mr. Spence and Ms. Fujii work together again with Satoko’s longtime music partner & husband, Natsuki Tamura and Ruins drummer Tatsuya Yoshida. Mr. Yoshida recently recorded a new quartet disc with Ms. Fujii and Mr. Tamura for Satoko’s Libra label. Both Alister Spence and Satoko Fujii are virtuosic keyboardists with a depth of musical experiences. They work together very well, giving each other time and space to work and collaborate within. “Vertical Rainbow” begins quietly and slowly builds with layers of piano and electronic keyboards before Mr. Tamura’s trumpet erupts and then Mr. Yoshida takes one of those rambunctious drum solos. The quartet soon breaks into a tight prog-rock mid-section. Mr. Tamura’s an amazing trumpet solo in the last section here. Each piece is episodic with several sections. Both keyboardists work well together, building on each others’ playing or approach. There are a couple of humorous moments as well with unexpected changes in direction or references to other genres. Although Tatsuta Yoshida is known for his more progressive tendencies, he often pays back without pushing any of the songs too far into any extremes. He also takes a few short drum solos which sound like just another part of a longer piece. I believe that Mr. Spence wrote out some fragmented themes in which the quartet works their way through time for stretching out or soloing used to balance these long pieces. Although some of these themes sound like prog-rock, it is the soloing and stretching out which adds an element of unpredictability. Another treasure from the Fujii/Tamura team. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $16
GIACOMO MEREGA & JOE MORRIS - Opus Dichotomous (Infrequent Seams IS-1066; USA) Featuring Giacomo Merega on bass guitar with pedals and Joe Morris on guitar & pedals. Recorded in Guilford, Conn in January of 2023. There are a large number of mid-aged or older musicians who I’ve come to know over a long period of time, watching them evolve in different ways. Electric bassist Giacomo Merega is one of these musicians who I’ve watched over the long haul. Mr. Merega has played here at DMG on several occasions in a quartet, a trio and an electric bass duo. Mr. Merega can be heard on nearly a dozen discs with musicians like Dave Tronzo, Noah Kaplan, Todd Neufeld and Joe Morris. He seems to enjoy working with fellow guitarists. Both Jow Morris and Mr. Merega are members of the Noah Kaplan Quartet, who have three CD’s out on the Hat labels. Joe Morris is both a well-respected professor as well as one of the finest avant/jazz guitarists, who has been working with Downtown’s best avant/jazz musicians since around 1983, for 40 plus years!
Both Mr. Merega and Mr. Morris use some effects pedal on the opening track, “Real, and The Not Real…”, their tones resonating, some notes rounded by selective, often subtle sustain. Although this piece is rather restrained, it is also fascinating, the use of a volume pedal or a similar effect has the notes fade or out in a more ethereal way. Both Merega and Morris work well together, playing their lines together and around one another in a most fluid way with no percussionist to limit their rhythmic excursions. On “Tauromagny”, the duo speed up, tossing off furious lines without breaking a sweat and then build back down to a more moderate pace. Considering that there is no drummer, the duo sound like they are internalizing the rhythmic flow just below sea level, keeps their currents moving together. Although it took some time to adjust to the sound of this duo, the more I listen, the more I hear the way they are connected on several levels simultaneously. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $14
ERI YAMAMOTO QUADROPHONIC with CHAD FOWLER / KEVIN THOMAS / IKUO TAKEUCHI - Fly with the Wings (Mahakala 079; USA) Featuring Eri Yamamoto on piano, vocal (on 2 songs), melodica & compositions, Chad Fowler on alto sax & flute, Kevin Thomas on bass and Ikuo Takeuchi on drums. I’ve long admired the piano playing of Eri Yamamoto. I’ve caught her playing at the Vision Fest many times, often in bands with William Parker. She played with the Sparks Quartet at Vision Fest 24 and completely blew me away. That quartet featured Chad Fowler on reeds, Mr. Fowler also runs this, the Mahakala label, which released the Sparks Quartet CD and this one as well. I don’t know much about bassist Kevin Thomas, although the drummer here, Ikuo Takeuchi, can be found on a dozen discs as a member of Ms. Yamamoto’s ongoing longtime trio.
“What Do They Mean” opens features the quaint, charming, from-the-heart singing of Ms. Yamamoto and the soulful sax of Chad Fowler. I had never heard Ms. Yamamoto sing before now but I must admit that I dig her voice. I wasn’t expecting that this disc would start with such a fine, warm, soulful song as this… Good move! The title track, “Fly with the Wings” is next and it features the fine flute of Mr. Fowler. Ms. Yamamoto plays most majestically here, the melody she is playing sounds like the positive vibes that uses to flow uninhibited during the 1960’s more positive vibes days. “Peach” has another soulful strut theme and would probably do well on Jazz Radio (like WBGO), plus Mr. Fowler plays a wonderful inside/outside blues/avant sax solo here that can’t be beat. “Where to Go” features more singing by Mr. Yamamoto and again, she sounds just fine, completely coy and charming. Ms. Yamamoto has a rich, expressive, more positive sound on piano, most uplifting. Eri switched to a melodica for the last piece, “Let’s Do It”, which she play in a nice harmony with Mr. Fowler’s alto sax. She actually takes a great melodica solo, something I’ve heard since Steve Wonder used it in the 1970’s. The positive energy, something we all need more of, flows graciously throughout this most enchanting disc. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $14
THOLLEM McDONAS - Infinite-Sum Game (ESP-Disk 5088; USA) Featuring Thollem McDonas on solo piano, recorded at Sala Perriera in Sicily, Palermo in Italy in May of 2023. Review next week.
CD $13
DOORTRI Eeeels (zOaR ZCD 168; USA)Featuring Tiziano Pellizzari on tenor sax, bass clarinet, keyboards, percussion and Geoffrey Copplestoneon vocals, sampler, analogue synth, radio, Percussion and Giampaolo Mattiello on percussion, drum machine, and sequencer. This Italian trio mixes a poetic sensibility with punk, free jazz, and industrial sounds. They compose fiery pieces full of subversive and anarchic spirit and humor. Comparisons could be made to The Pop Group, X-Ray Spex & Public Image. - Review next week.
CD $14
MIKE COOPER - Slow Motion Lightning (Room40 4242CD; Australia) From Mike Cooper: "I made the first set of pieces for this collection during the intense heat of the 2023 Spanish summer; 32 degrees inside the house at night sometimes. I had just finished reading one of the most extraordinary volumes of fiction (something I rarely read) titled The Guyana Quartet by the Caribbean writer Wilson Harris. I came to this book via the works of Nathaniel Mackay, who recommended Wilson Harris as an important influence on his own creative writing. While researching further for my Tropical Gothic project I came across another writer from Guyana, Edgar Mittelholzer, and his book My Bones And My Flute. The two books couldn't be more different. Mittelholzer's book is described as 'a ghost story in the old-fashioned manner,' while The Guyana Quartet is one of the strangest books I have ever read. A lot of the time I had no idea what was going on but its strangeness kept drawing me into it and onwards. It is extremely psychedelic and tropical gothic with an added healthy dose of quantum time. Sometimes the characters are both alive and dead at the same time. The stories all takes place either in the Amazon basin rainforests of Guyana or the Rupununi Savannah, home to a vast array of exotic wildlife which includes jaguars, sloths, monkeys, giant otters, tapirs, emerald tree boa snakes and more. I wanted this musical edition to be an aural reflection of the landscapes conjured in my mind's eye as I was reading. Most of my samples and loops are created using a ukulele, my fingers, a metal hip-flask, (for rum), an empty St James Rum bottle, field recordings from Martinique, electric and acoustic lap steel guitar and a virtual pedal steel guitar. The flute player is unknown but maybe from Vietnam. The titles of my pieces are mostly taken from the two books as well as the title, Slow Motion Lightning, which resonated with me as a description of our current situation with regards climate change, and other man-made disasters that have occurred since beginning the pieces. Slow Motion Lightning; deadly and unpredictable never strikes twice in the same place except when it does."
CD $18
THE THIRD MIND with DAVE ALLEN / JESSE SYKES / DAVID IMMERGLUCK / VICTOR KRUMMENACHER / MICHAEL JEROME - The Third Mind (Yep Rock 2710X; USA) Featuring Dave Allen on lead guitar & vocal, Jesse Sykes on vocal & guitar, David Immergluck on guitar, keyboards & vocal, Victor Krummenacher on bass & backing vocals, Michael Jerome on drums plus DJ Bonebrake on vibes and Jack Rudy on harmonica. I've been a big fan of singer/songwriter Jesse Sykes since receiving his first disc ('Reckless Burning') as a promo in 2002. I listened to the disc almost every day at the end of my workday at the store before I left to go home. It somehow made me feel better although there was something rather depressing about it. Ms. Jesse & her band made four records between 2002 and 2011, each one a gem. Ms. Sykes' boyfriend was the lead guitarist in her band, a gifted guitarist and a perfect collaborator for her/their songs. Just like Vudi was the right man (guitarist) for the American Music Club/Mark Eitzel's songs & vocals. On their album, it sounds as if Ms. Sykes was smoking too many cigarettes, her great world-weary voice rather raspy, yet it worked at amplifying the universal pain of Life. On each album, Jesse & Band rock harder, the songs growing more intense. Their last record, 'Marble Son' was released in 2011 and it rocked harder than ever. I've played it at the store several times and folks ask, who is that? Jefferson Airplane? The Who? It's that great! I caught Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter at the Bowery Ballroom in 2011 with my friends Eric Stern & Mike Panico (both gone) and they rocked the house! Totally awesome! Where was the rest of the world?!?!? Ms. Sykes broke up with Phil, the band broke up and Ms. Sykes left the music... Sad but true. A number of us fans have been waiting for her return, not sure it would ever be.... Lo and behold Jesse Sykes is back as a member of this great psych/jam-band.
You might not have thought that members of the Blasters, Camper van Beethoven & the Richard Thompson Trio/Band would make such a strong band but here is the proof that this is the one! Five of the six songs here are covers of Alice Coltrane ("Journey in Satchidananda"), Fred Neil ("The Dolphins"), Butterfield Blues Band ("East West"!!!), 13th Floor Elevators ("Reverberation") and The Dead's "Morning Dew" (perfect for Ms. Sykes), plus one original. What's interesting is this: the band started out just to jam some classic songs and turn them into psych classics. Beginning with a peaceful yet cosmic version of an Alice Coltrane transcendent gem is just the right way to kick this album off! Fred Neil was the guru of many folk singers & psych bands like Jefferson Airplane and the Byrds. Many consider his song, "The Dolphins", to be his best. It was once covered by Tim Buckley, who rarely did any covers and has also been done by Linda Ronstadt on an early record of hers. The version here is sung by Dave Alvin and this version is absolutely transcendent. "Morning Dew", a post-apocalyptic folk song written by Canadian folk singer Bonnie Dobson in 1962 and covered by many bands, most famously found on the first Grateful Dead album and down throughout their long reign. Jesse Sykes, the sorceress of dark currents, sings it here and does a righteous, heart-felt version. The Third Mind rock out on psych nugget "Reverberation", which was originally performed by Texas psych rockers The 13th Floor Elevators. "East West" was written & performed by the Butterfield Blues Band in 1966 and is considered to be the first blues/rock/psych/jazz jam-band song and a major influence on all of the great Bay area psych bands. There are two versions on this album and both are worth exploring, whether you are stoned out, tripping or not. If you are still into great, eastern-influenced psychedelic rock with some folk influences, then you should check out this treasure by The Third Mind! It totally f*cking rules!!! - MC-BruceLee
CD $15 / LP $24
THE THIRD MIND with JESSE SYKES / DAVE ALVIN / DAVID IMMERGLUCK / VICTOR KRUMMENACHER / MICHAEL JEROME / WILLIE ARON - Third Mind 2 (Yep Rock 3076; USA) Featuring Jesse Sykes on lead vocals & acoustic guitar, Dave Alvin on lead guitar, David Immergluck on el guitarm harmonium & mellotron, Victor Krummenacher on bass guitar and Michael Jerome on drums plus Willie Aron on piano, Hammond B3 organ & mellotron. I've been a big fan of singer-songwriter & bandleader Jesse Sykes since getting her first album as a promo in 2002 our first location. There was/is something about that album that touched me deeply and I listened to it every night for a year before I left the store to help me unwind. Ms. Sykes has a world-weary voice which has a way of pulling me deeply into her sonic web. Ms. Sykes and her band The Sweet Hereafter which was co-led by her boyfriend at the time Phil Wandsler, a wonderful lead guitarist who seems to match her voice/songs perfectly. The group made four records together, each one a treasure on its own and each one heavier than the last one. The last one was released in 2011 and is called ‘Marble Son’ and the opening track is a psychedelic epic. Wandsler and Sykes broke up as did the band around 2011 and Mr. Sykes gave up on music. I was heart-broken about this until now. In 2018, Ms. Sykes finally arose from ashes of her past and found her way into a new band which Dave Alvin (from the Blasters) on lead guitar, David Immergluck on guitar & keyboards & Victor Krummenacher on bass (both from Camper Van Beethoven) and Michael Jerome (from the Richard Thompson Trio) on drums. The Third Mind released an album in 2020 which is filled with covers from Alice Coltrane, Fred Neil, Butterfield Blues Band ("East West!!!) and Thirteenth Floor Elevators. I haven't gotten my mittens on a copy yet but hope to soon. More recently the Yep Roc label released the second record by The Third Mind and we just got it in today (11/20/23). Once again it is mostly covers and they have chosen some power songs: "Groovin' is Easy" (opening song on the first Electric Flag album), "Why Not Your Baby" by Gene Clark, "In My Own Dream" (title track from the 4th Butterfield Blues band album), "Sally Go Round the Roses" (covered by the Great Society & Pentangle), "A Little Bit of Rain" by (folk guru) Fred Neil plus a great original by Ms. Sykes & Mr. Alvin. Being an old hippie and digging each of these great 60's bands, its sounds like The Third Mind have made a perfect disc for me and maybe for you as well. This is folk/rock/psych at its very best and it makes me smile to listen to this gem. I was a fan of the Blasters (which were led by the Alvin brothers) but I am an even bigger fan of the many Dave Alvin solo records that I own. Dave Alvin plays lead guitar on all of these tracks and he sounds better than ever, showing off that rock guitar prowess that makes us guitar freaks reach for our air guitars. I am also an old fan of Camper van Beethoven who were always better live than on record. I caught them with Eugene Chadbourne at the Old Knit and that combination was awesome! I am working on getting copies of their first album, in the meantime you should treat yourself to a copy of this treasure chest of sonic jewels. - Bruce Lee Gallanter, DMG
CD $15 / 3 Sided-2 LP Set $36
STEVE ROACH - Reflections In Repose (Projekt Records 418CD; USA) "2CD in six-panel digipak. Reflections in Repose captures the pure essence of Steve Roach's ever-deepening intimate embrace of silence, breath, rich harmonic inventiveness, and shifting liminal states; it's a sound and style completely unique to his electronic/ambient vision. Created over two evenings at the close of 2023, the music was recorded in the same sequenced flow as presented on the two discs' 116 minutes. The five long-form tracks were performed on a single instrument -- the Oberheim OB-X8 -- the modern equivalent of the iconic Oberheim OB-8 which Steve used 40 years ago in the making of his classic piece 'Structures from Silence.' Steve reflects, 'As I conceived these pieces, the intention and flow was to merge into the space where 'Structures' was born. Not as a nostalgic tribute but rather embodying the place where this essence lives within me. It's the realm where I fully inhabit the emotional suspension and dynamic connection to the transportive power of sound. Expressing it in the moment with clarity and focus.'"
2 CD Set $19
ALAN LAMB - Night Passage (Room40 4239; Australia) Originally recorded and edited between 1983-1997. From Lawrence English: "I'll take a guess and say I first heard Alan Lamb's Night Passage in 1999. Released by Darrin Verhagen's seminal Dorobo label, the record birthed an approach that wove together themes of materialism, field recording and a reimagining of the abandoned utilities of human habitation. Night Passage is one of those recordings I feel has always been with me, it's that foundational. It completely re-shaped the way a generation of audio explorers thought about how sound and music might exist in the orbit of each other. On my first listen I'm confident I was unable to place exactly how these sounds were created, even knowing the source materials, but one thing I can say without reservation is their resonance has lingered with me these past couple of decades. The sound world Lamb captured, waves rippling along wires, was exquisitely simple, and effortlessly deep. Here, right before us, was a sound world locked within materials we pass by everyday. In tapping into these materials, Alan Lamb unlocked a parallel dimension of sense, one guided by interactions of objects and the environments surrounding them. An inorganic, living music the likes of which had not been readily available until the publication of his recordings. Alan Lamb's work with long wires, undertaken in situ across Western Australia, are quite frankly the stuff of legend. To revisit them in such a focused way almost four decades on from their initial recording I'm struck by how other worldly and evocative they continue to be. It's with great pleasure we share Night Passage, completely remastered under the guidance of Alan himself."
CD $18
LP SECTION:
GERI ALLEN TRIO with ANTHONY COX / ANDREW CYRILLE - The Printmakers (Minor Music MM 1152LP; USA) "Geri Allen (1957-2017) has been the most influential pianist of her generation. In 1984, her debut recording The Printmakers on Minor Music was internationally received with great praise, as a new and highly individual approach to the instrument. The NYT recently selected this album for the series: 5 Minutes That Will Make You Love Jazz Piano. Reviewing a performance by Ms. Allen's trio in 2011, Nate Chinen wrote in The New York Times: 'Her brand of pianism, assertive and soulful, has long suggested a golden mean of major postwar styles. She just as easily deploys the slipstream whimsy of Herbie Hancock, the earthy sweep of McCoy Tyner, and the swarming agitation of Cecil Taylor.'"
LP $18
CHRIS McGREGOR'S BROTHERHOOD OF BREATH with DUDU PUKWANA / JOHN SURMAN / MIKE OSBORNE / ALAN SKIDMORE / RONNIE BEER / MONGEZI FEZA / NICK EVANS / HARRY MILLER / LOUIS MOHOLO - Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath (Stamford Audio Stam 1005LP; UK) "Deluxe gatefold sleeve with 180 gram LP. First time on vinyl since the Neon release. Hand numbered limited 500 edition. The Brotherhood of Breath was an exuberant big-band created by South African born pianist and composer Chris McGregor. In South Africa, McGregor had formed the racially mixed Blue Notes in the early 1960s. By 1964, finding it very difficult to work at home; they left for Europe, finally settling in London in 1966. The Blue Notes -- Chris McGregor, Dudu Pukwana, Mongezi Feza, Johnny Dyani and Louis Moholo made a huge impact on London's jazz scene and befriended many in London's emerging avant-garde jazz community." CD version released on Fledg'ling is currently out-of-print.
LP $36 [last few copies left]
ACID MOTHERS TEMPLE & THE MELTING PARAISO U.F.O. - Trust Masked Replicants (Important Records 533LP; USA) Japan's long running masters of psych/kosmische jamming return to Important Records for a vinyl outing featuring beloved original member Cotton Casino. This first edition is pressed in an edition of 500 copies. Trust Masked Replicants finds AMT in fine form, creating experimental psych-rock improvised around skeletal compositions. The group's leader, Kawabata Makoto, holds the group together while they navigate chaos infused, drone-based jamming at the outer edges of human consciousness. Side B, featuring the 20-minute track "Asoko Ananda," is a classic side-long fast paced AMT burner combining sped up kosmische rhythms, filter sweeps, free-jazz piano, tabla drumming and vocal experiments. "Asoko Ananda" utilizes many of the group's skills, ascending to the height of their collective, mountainous ability. Channeling prog, krautrock, modern composition and noise, Kawabata Makoto formed the Acid Mothers Temple in the early '90s. The group has gone on to release countless albums while touring the globe.
LP $32
FAIRPORT CONVENTION with SANDY DENNY / RICHARD THOMPSON / SIMON NICOL / DAVE SWARBRICK / DAVE PEGG / DAVE MATTOCKS - The Airing Cupboard Tapes '71-'74 (Stamford Audio 1002LP; UK) "Features four tracks with Sandy Denny: 'Who Knows Where The Time Goes,' 'That'll Be The Day,' 'Ballad Of Ned Kelly,' and 'Something You Got.' First time on vinyl. Limited to hand numbered run of 500. Pressed on 180 gram double vinyl." Deluxe gatefold sleeve. Collection of live recordings between February 1971 and April 1974 at locations including Frankfurt, San Antonio, Canterbury, Sydney and Los Angeles. This is a reissue of the 1981 original cassette release by Woodworm Records, with 4 bonus tracks
2 LP Set $36 [LTD Edition of 500 copies]
THE KINKS - Live at Beat Club 1972 (1960’s Records Randb 114LP; UK) This rare performance features fifteen tracks recorded live for German TV by the five-piece band, augmented on selected tracks by a brass section. The song selection encompasses the band's history, going from early singles "You Really Got Me" and "All Day And All Of The Night" through to four tracks from Muswell Hillbillies, their most recent LP. Sound quality is excellent throughout and the release comes with full credits and extensive sleeve notes.
LP $28
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ATTENTION ALL CREATIVE MUSICIANS OUT THERE, Around the world.
If you have a link for some music that you are working on and want to share it with the folks who read the DMG Newsletter, please send the link to DMG at DMG@Downtownmusicgallery.com
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THE STONE RESIDENCIES / CYRO BAPTISTA / OCT 30-NOV 2
10/30 Wednesday
8:30 pm - THUNDER STORM - Marcus Rojas (tuba, percussion) Tim Keiper (drums, percussion, voice) Ze Luis Oliveira (sax, flute) Brian Marsella (piano, percussion) Cyro Baptista (percussion, voice)
10/31 Thursday
8:30 pm - SPOOKY STORIES - Bill Gordh and Cyro Baptista
11/1 Friday
8:30 pm - CHAMA - Felipe Hostins (accordion) Ze Luis Oliveira (sax, flute) Jason Fraticelli (bass, quatro) Tim Keiper (drums, ngoni) Cyro Baptista (percussion, voice)
11/2 Saturday
8:30 pm - VIVAVIDA - Ikue Mori (electronics) John Zorn (sax) Brian Marsella (piano) Jim Staley (trombone) Cyro Baptista (percussion)
THE STONE RESIDENCIES / RAVEN CHACON / NOV 6-9
11/6 Wednesday
8:30 pm - GUITAR TRIO
Sky Hopinka (guitar) Andrew Yong Hoon Lee (guitar) Raven Chacon (guitar)
11/7 Thursday
8:30 pm - TRIO - Marisa Demarco (voice, electronics ) Lea Bertucci (clarinet, electronics) Raven Chacon (electronics)
11/8 Friday
8:30 pm - TRIO - Marshall Trammell (drums) Laura Ortman (violin) Raven Chacon (electronics)
11/9 Saturday
8:30 pm - Various Instrumental TRIO - Che Chen (various instruments) C. Spencer Yeh (various instruments) Raven Chacon (various instruments)
THE STONE is located in
The New School at the Glass Box Theatre
55 West 13th Street - near 6th ave
LIVE MUSIC
wed-sat - music at 8:30pm
ADMISSION - $20 per set
unless otherwise noted
cash only payment
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ROULETTE has been and remains the best place to experience experimental music and arts since 1978. I’ve attended concerts at Roulette since it began in Tribeca and I still go as often as I can. Founder Jim Staley stepped down earlier this year and a new music director named Matt Mehlan has taken his place. Here is the most of the September calendar below, it looks most impressive…
Tuesday, November 5, 2024. 8:00 pm
Bill Nace and Haley Fohr
A special collaboration between experimental musician/composers Bill Nace of Body/Head and Haley Fohr of Circuit des Yeux.
Wednesday, November 6, 2024. 8:00 pm
Guy Klucevsek and Volker Goetze: Little Big Top Quartet
Formed in 2022 to accompany Little Amal Walks to Snug Harbor Cultural Center in Staten Island, the quartet celebrates their new album.
Thursday, November 7, 2024. 8:00 pm
Interpretations: Marty Ehrlich / Ingrid Laubrock
The 35th Interpretations Series opens with a double bill from woodwind/multi-instrumentalist Marty Ehrlich and saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock.
Sussan Deyhim: Whispers From the Underworld (In Memory of Richard Horowitz)
Roulette is located at:
509 Atlantic Avenue (Corner of Third Avenue)
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Telephone: (917) 267-0363
Web: https://roulette.org
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NEW VIDEOS from GUITAR MASTER HENRY KAISER:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-6p_Q2Dwxc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWJ20KEHAdQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuKk7GFtGls
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CHRIS CUTLER
Formerly of HENRY COW, THE ART BEARS, NEWS FOR BABEL & RECOMMENDED RECORDS (ReR) has been creating an ongoing series of podcasts called the Probes series. I am often fascinated at listening to each of these as Mr. Cutler does an incredible job of showing a deep history of Creative Music in the 20th century & beyond. I usually listen to these on the train to NYC that I take to get to work each day. The most recent Probes (#37) was released earlier this year, here are the links:
https://rwm.macba.cat/en/research/probes-37
https://rwm.macba.cat/en/research/probes-36
https://rwm.macba.cat/en/research/probes-362-auxiliaries
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ATTENTION TO ALL DMG CUSTOMERS: NEW EMAIL ADDRESS: downtownmusicgalleryofficial@gmail.com
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