so, so disappointing - you have to feel for these musicians
showtime rolls around at 8:30 as they come on stage
and the sound lounge isn't exactly packed to the rafters
14 people in the audience - friday night, big city, world's best music
i just don't get it at all - has me questioning my music taste
for about a millisecond
then about 2 bars of music dispels such thoughts
master percussionist jame waples brushing and tapping cymbals
double bass player extraordanaire mike majkowski gently plucking strings
i've seen both of these 2 before in various lineups - they do good
dave de vries on electric guitar promising an eclectic combination
he closes his eyes and strums his guitar in quite a unique way
sounding slightly off-key but strangely appropriate
together it's a very gentle sound reminiscent of 1980's ambient
which is fine by me as i loved some of that music
and in the hands of these 3 anything is possible
the first piece is back-announced as untitled
written by a member of the audience we are told
her partner on double bass then leads with his piece titled posting
a more up-tempo number that confirms this outfit is out there on their own
has me thinking that there really is something special about a trio
especially one such as this where musical skills are unquestioned
confidence in each other and themselves is a given
and the willingness to push out is a driving force
confirmed by dave de vries announcing some improvisation
seriously hoping not to offend anyone he offers
but actually not really caring too much anyway he counters
now things are about to go out even further i suspect
mike majkowski has displayed his noise-making skills in the past
doing all sorts of things with strings, fingers, hands, bows and wood
but tonight he added a whole bunch of other sounds to the mix
using his bow to beat the floor mic for a bass drum effect
whipping the bow through the air for a swishing sound
and expelling air from lungs at volume for a similar effect
totally stole the show while his musical partners wigged out
had me thinking after listening to much recorded improv
that live and in the right hands it is a totally valid form
cleverly they segued into a composed piece of music
a touch of clarity is a beautiful tune showcasing the lineup
had me shuffling through the mental filing cabinet of sounds
pausing briefly on early pink floyd, wes montgomery and others
but nothing so obvious for any length of time as this was their own
at the conclusion there were 3 happy musicians on stage
and a bunch of very lucky music-lovers in awe
which may have assisted in their confidence as they wound up the set
taking the liberty to demonstrate their absolute lack of fear
take on any style, make any noise possible, engage the moment
so they cranked into hard-rock mode belting it out big-time
dave de vries madly working a chord on his guitar like a man possessed
james waples giving his drumkit a belting rarely seen at this venue
mike majkowski actually screaming as he also thrashed his instrument
what an amazing noise - the complete opposite of where we started
but absolutely proving the power of a 3 piece
and this is the support act for the night
with still only 14 people in the audience
go figure
