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Written by Andrea Canter, Contributing Editor
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Sunday, 25 April 2004 |
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Page 2 of 2
This is the point in a music review where too many writers analyze the musician’s technique, style, and even purpose; the sound system; the playlist, even the audience. I am not a musician nor have I had any training in music theory or performance. So I will spare the reader any attempt to address what underlies the magic and genius of this trio. From a strictly nonprofessional’s view, this group thrives on a creative energy that springs from their collective love of music as the expression of every emotion and a playful interplay born from their early years of learning together. Whether the tempo is luxurious or scorching, the dynamic whispering or exploding, the pulse foot-tapping or signaling arrhythmia, these guys find their way into your soul and launch you into a joyous orbit just to the outer limits of musical reason……sometimes leaving you shaking on the edge but always bringing you back before that final thump or splash.
Anthony Cox’s electric ax never seems that far removed from its acoustic parent and is as likely to direct as to support the journey. Dave King has no boundaries in either the percussive elements he uses (including toddler toys) or the gymnastics with which he assembles and dismantles those elements in creating an endless palette of sound. His cymbals are not crash and ride, but crash and burn. And Craig Taborn? He plucks, he slides, he pounds, he strokes, he runs up and down, he hypnotizes… sometimes using two keyboards in unison or seemingly cloning himself into two distinct voices simultaneously. He hints at what he could do if driven by more mundane inspiration, but his muse is more cosmic.
“Garcia” may have been quickly generated to fill a scheduling void but it nevertheless has emerged as a highly original trio of three of the most exciting jazz artists around—around the Twin Cities or around anywhere. Modern jazz will be well served if this accidental merger takes flight as an ongoing collaboration.
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Friday, 21 November 2008
