david murray black saint quartet

wangaratta jazz festival 2008 - headline act number 1

david murray is a well respected african american sax player

founding member of the world saxophone quartet

grammy award winner, prolific recording artist (130 albums), etc, etc
prior to this performance he and his outfit had played at the basement
i had been offered a ticket but declined knowing i would catch them at wang
they came on stage to a rousing reception from a hungry audience
possibly some like me disappointed by the opening show
and presumably also some like me having travelled far and wide
eager to get their ears around some seriously good music
i think about 2 bars of music was all it took to appease
the quartet hit the ground running and never let up
on one other occasion this year i recall the same feeling
witnessing a performance that surpassed all else seen in recent times
interestingly enough that other performance was also a u s performer
with a band dominated by african americans in charge of rhythm
which on this night had me thinking maybe that's the secret ingredient
but of course analysis is not recommended - better to just enjoy
and so it was as i let mr murray's groove slide and glide into my head
he looking and sounding like he had been born with his saxophone
prowling the stage and appearing to effortlessly blast it out
a rich, deep, melodic sound that dominated the large venue
his fellow musicians equally talented and essential to the sound
jaribu shihad on double bass particularly impressive
his instrument, long dreadlocks and leather coat visually intimidating
his command of the double bass laying in a solid backbone
young dummer malik washington all over his drumkit
he too looking like he would be out of place anywhere else
on piano lafayette gilchrist adding in flourishes as required
not so much competing or combining with david murray
but filling the gaps whenever the man took a break
there were a few polite and gracious words spoken between tunes
and by the end of the set an audience demanding and rewarded with more
afterwards i had the pleasure of chatting to the band at the cd stall
as they graciously signed cds for the clamouring crowd
in no hurry to get away and happy to mix it with the fans
i did ask david murray how the gig at the basement went
oh - that was fun - we had a great time
this man genuinely loves his job
the end of day 1 at wang
sounding good

jim mcneely with the spare parts orchestra

sometimes it's difficult to turn down an invitation
a long-time acquaintance lives in the town of wangaratta
runs the local music shop and ditto the shop at the annual jazz festival
so the offer of a free ticket and accommodation was hard to resist
all that was required was a bit of time flogging cd's at the stall
so onto a cheap flight out of sydney and into albury
seated coincidentally next to an acquaintance from sima
(sydney improvised music association)
who just so happened to have a friend meeting him
and so a lift to wangaratta was also provided for me
then another lift to the festival site in a car packed full of cds
the complimentary festival program tracked down and perused
a weekend of music offering a great mix of known and new music
first up for me being jim mcneely and the spare parts orchestra
never heard of the chap myself but hey he's from new york
the spare parts orchestra is a (presumably) hastily assembled combo
local (read australian) musicians again displaying their flexibility
4 trumpet players including sydney based star warwick alder
4 trombone players of unknown origins but presumably melbourne
5 sax players including paul cutlan and kiwi roger manins
the rhythm section of andrew dickeson and bendan clarke
last and consistently seen keeping time for mr bernie mcgann
jim mcneely himself leading the orchestra on piano and mc duties
well it all sounded very appealing and so i was there in the crowd
but, but, but it just did not work all that well unfortunately
sometimes i just sense that there is too much reliance on skills
this outfit had that to spare and in theory should have killed it
but then in my limited experience you have to add 1 of 2 components
either a connection forged from lots of rehearsal or live playing
or a connection and an absolute trust in your fellow musicians
so that improvisation works and comes naturally and easily
uh-oh - in this case, on this night, we had neither component
meaning that it was quite a shambolic, sloppy, unenthusiastic performance
couldn't help thinking the local guys were going through the motions
but trying their very best to lift the performance and make it special
jim mcneely between tunes seemingly trying to redeem himself
constantly name-dropping other concerts or orchestras
blatantly reminding us the audience of his stellar connections
i kept thinking i must have had it wrong - maybe a tuning problem
i.e. my ears not yet tuned into the cavernous space of the main stage
and very used to front row seats at intimate shows in small spaces
i left the concert very underwhelmed by the performance
was still thinking about it the next day in the main street
when i stumbled onto the local school big band doing it's thing
playing with confidence and in unison and making a fine racket
reminding me very clearly of the disappointment of the night before
sorry jim but for me not a successful festival opener

man on wire

a documentary about tightrope walker phillipe petit
based on a book by the man himself titled to reach the clouds
it's a tantalising opening sequence of archive footage
showing some home video of petit practicing his art
he's rigged up a wire in his back yard in paris
a young man with a devoted girlfriend pursuing his dream
plans to conquer the world trade centre even before construction
along the way he takes on notre dame and the sydney harbour bridge
again some great historical footage of those events
but a change in tact is used to tell the main story
a mixture of talking heads and event reconstruction
interspersed with still photographs and amatuer videos
some poignant footage of the building of the twin towers
showing the internal structure seen lately as it came down
understandably there is no actual footage of the main event
being the 1974 assault on the world trade centre
actors and a quirky directional technique filling the gaps
props, lighting, movement, as used on a stage show
most interesting though are the tales of his accomplices
balanced with petit himself recalling the event
a fascinating tale of intricate planning and subterfuge
as a ton of equipment and 4 people are smuggled in
raising questions as to (lack of) security pre 9/11
a reminder of a more innocent, naive and calmer world
thankfully there's enough information to explain the finer details
like how a large, heavy, long cable could be rigged up discreetly
i was also curious to know how a long balancing pole was smuggled in
the film is well paced as it builds to the big climax
luckily we know the happy ending and so do not fear for the man
as still photography and some ground based videos show him at play
incredibly he traversed the wire 8 times between the towers
including laying down on the wire over 400 metres above ground
i was bracing myself for a sense of vertigo creeping in
but fortunately the staggering height involved is not pushed
and it's quite a sense of elation as he completes the deed
though it doesn't end there with some post-event analysis
for petit is directly affected and is now a changed man
his instant fame now put to use with his adoring public
though some sad moments as his friends shed some tears
confirming that as much was lost as gained on the day
so there's more happening in the film than just facts
the music of erik satie and michael nyman most effective
beautiful piano music used to add an emotional resonance
depicting petit as a driven but ultimately lonely artist
and powerfully showing his chosen craft to be quite unique
this against the backdrop of knowledge of what would follow
though thankfully no reference to the other big day for the wtc
leaving us to ponder the significance of his day in 1974
still not sure how they smuggled in his balancing pole
just one of many resonating observations about this film
a highly satisfying and equally uplifting experience

caramel

mixed feelings about the desire to see this lebanese film
one review implying it was their answer to sex and the city
primarily because it has 4 women at the centre of the action
they all work at a hairdressing salon in downtown beirut
the centre of the story and the ladies lives it seems
for their friendship provides the support they each need
as they all struggle in one way or another with other people
mainly the men in their lives or who they want in their lives
family and religious expectations are also quite apparant
but basically it's a simple story of lives being lived
which is the kind of film i particularly like
and of which the best foreign films are all about
no over-paid, over-hyped, over-indulged actors in sight
no unlikely scenarios, cross-brand promotion, excessive costumes
no blatantly over-indulging of material and other desires
but here an opportunity to get in amongst another society
and observe that which may or may not set them apart from our own
the beautiful owner of the salon is played by nadine labaki
she is also the writer and director of this her first feature film
she is having an affair with a man she hopes will be won over
but of course he is in it for one thing only with no such intention
in the meantime the man who really loves her is on her doorstep
the local policeman who observes, pines and suffers for her love
this is one thread in the film that takes us in for its simple honesty
but then each of the other ladies has their own concerns or issues
one is about to be married and has a secret about her (lack of) virginity
a small but significant reference to the problems faced by women
caught up in a modernising society with traditional (male) values
similarly another lady is finding herself drawn to other women
possibly as a rejection of what she has seen as undesirable male behaviour
and the desire instead for a partner offering the tenderness she craves
this then coming to fruition in a totally believable way
but it's not all so serious and as dramatic as it may sound
there's some very good laugh-out-loud moments
usually at the expense of one or more of the salon's visitors
all done in good taste and with relevant empathy also on offer
particularly with an elderly neighbour providing a sewing service
it took a while for me to figure out where the title comes from
but it is in direct reference to the use of a caramel substance
mixed from water, sugar and lemon juice for hair removal
a service offered at the salon and therefore a clever title
a metaphor for what suffering women endure in the world
and also that in this case caramel is a bitter-sweet substance
seems like the perfect title for this very appealing film

guy strazz and matt mcmahon

another visit to the sound lounge on a friday night
this combination promising for a fine night of music
matt mcmahon seen recently at the piano fund-raiser night
then displaying charm, dignity and superb keyboard skills
his sense of melody and deftness making a highlight of that night
i'd last seen guy strazz at wangaratta several years ago
then fronting a large ensemble playing brazilian infused jazz
his role as leader and lead (acoustic) guitarist
so tonight it's a rarely seen piano and guitar duo
launching their latest cd collaboration titled 2 @ 1
quite a decent sized audience in attendance as i showed up
again pushing my luck with a front row seat
yet another single while male jazz fan at a table
with a single empty seat with my name on it
smack bang in front of where guy strazz would be seated
seems going solo to such shows has it's own rewards
the band are introduced and go about their business
matt mcmahon stage left tinkering on the yamaha c7
guy strazz seated centre stage caressing a nylon-stringed acoustic
the first tune brings with it a confirmation of what is hoped for
some lovely harmonising between piano and guitar
a quite beautiful and melodic piece very easy on the ear
mr strazz quite easily demonstating his latin influences
mr mcmahon complementing that with his gentle playing
the interplay such that it is clear that this is not improv
or at least the impression given is of well rehearsed tunes
at tune's end matt mcmahon is as always the dignified host
giving thanks and acknowledgment to the audience
providing brief but interesting information about the tune
and so the pattern was set for the night's entertainment
many tunes played and presumably mostly from the new cd
each tune played confidently and expertly by each musician
a fine balance so that each instrument playing off the other
providing for these ears a new and rich sound experience
the nylon strings resonating superbly with the piano
assisted in no small part by the camraderie of the musicians
guy strazz taking the microphone on one occasion to mention this
telling us that he considers matt mcmahon his musical brother
and confirming for me that this duo is quite special
the end of the performance bringing rousing applause
i hope they sell lots of cds and their journey continues
another outstanding combination of musicians
with a unique sound that would appeal to many
hopefully they will be back real soon now