Posts Tagged Improvisation
Archive
August 30, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Thurston Moore: Spirit Counsel
Thurston Moore Spirit Counsel Daydream Library For some 40 years now Thurston Moore’s guitar has been making noise in public. Sometimes it’s in the shape of a song, other times it couldn’t seem more removed. With a band or solo, as a guest or with guests of his own – it’s a dizzying discography and […]Archive
March 7, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Gig Review: Laurie Anderson – Here Comes The Ocean (March 6, Wellington)
Laurie Anderson – Here Comes The Ocean MFC, Wellington Friday, March 6 Laurie Anderson was invited to the NZ Festival as one of the guest curators – that meant performances from Anderson as well, including this: her symphony of ocean-inspired songs from late husband Lou Reed and various texts and spoken word pieces of her […]Archive
July 22, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 279
Keith Jarrett, Solo Concerts: Bremen/Lausanne (1973) There’s so much Keith Jarrett out there – and more by the day as he archives swell and see release. And maybe I want it all! I certainly want lots – and was pleased to get this, not exactly rare or anything, but good timing to find this at a good […]Archive
October 11, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
Brötzmann/Leigh: NZ Tour (Nov/Dec 2017)
Altmusic and the Audio Foundation are proud to present a nationwide tour of renowned saxophone/pedal steel guitar duo, Brötzmann / Leigh. Peter Brötzmann is a living legend of improvised music who has embodied the leading edge of the European avant-garde for over 50 years, challenging audiences and convention alike with a relentless intensity. On pedal […]Archive
June 13, 2016 by Simon Sweetman
Gig Review: Wayne Shorter (June 8, Wgtn)
Wayne Shorter Opera House, Wellington Wednesday, June 8 Joining the legendary saxophonist were three virtuoso talents, the incredible Brian Blade (drums), the sublime John Patitucci (bass) and the thoughtful Danilo Perez (piano). This quartet has been performing together across the last few years as Shorter leaves his reputation as a composer to the side and […]Archive
March 21, 2016 by Simon Sweetman
Gig Review: Uri Caine with The New Zealand String Quartet (March 20, Wgtn)
Uri Caine w/ The New Zealand String Quartet MFC Sunday, March 20 I had looked forward to this – but as soon as the show started, the pairing of Uri Caine (piano) with The New Zealand String Quartet seemed like an odd mismatch, a pointless exercise. I feel cheated too that we didn’t get one […]Archive
November 19, 2015 by Simon Sweetman
Gig Review: Susan Alcorn (November 19, Wgtn)
Susan Alcorn MEOW Wednesday, November 19 Baltimore-based Susan Alcorn has lifted the pedal steel guitar up and away from country music. You can still hear that weepy quality, that yearning in her sound. But, in fact, you hear the history of so many guitar noises in her sound – from the mythical B.B. King playing […]Archive
September 15, 2015 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 821
Mike Nichols and Elaine May, Improvisations to Music (1959) Nichols and May, love them. Went through a phase, a decade or so ago, where I was looking for the old – great – comedy records. And I got onto the duo of Nichols and May, I knew about them – and of course knew about […]Archive
July 20, 2015 by Simon Sweetman
Gig Preview: The Winter + Fredd Marshall + Confluence at Pyramid Club
This Thursday, July 23, The Winter, Fredd Marshall and Confluence will be playing at the Pyramid Club ($10 waged/$5 unwaged). The Winter is a band I play in – we formed a dozen years ago, we meet up once a year or not even, and we see what sounds we can make. It’s been fun. […]Archive
July 17, 2015 by Simon Sweetman
Marc Ribot: One NZ Show (Aug 2015)
Marc Ribot is a guitar hero – if you love mangled sounds and inventive colours, from squeals and squalls to acoustic improvisation. He can do the Hendrix rock-out thing (in more of a Sonny Sharrock kind of way actually) or play jazz. He can do it all, sideman or out front on his own. He’s […]Archive
November 16, 2014 by Simon Sweetman