Took in seven more shows yesterday. JG Thirlwell was…an experience. And I mean that in a good way.
Secret Chiefs 3: Ishraqiyun
More Middle-to-Far Eastern influenced rock music with Ches Smith once again pounding up a storm.
Claire Rousay
This was admittedly something of a sales pitch for the Ableton music software but Rousay did a very nice job describing her music and compositional process.
Eli Winter Trio
Bad sight lines in a very crowded bar venue, but Winter and company played a compelling set of post-rock inflected bluegrass.
Myra Melford’s Fire & Water
I’ve been listening to Myra Melford for 30 years and this is the first time I’ve seen her live. With a lineup including Mary Halvorson, Ingrid Laubrock, Tomeka Reid, and Leslie Mok, you cannot go wrong.
Dave Holland Quartet
Holland seemed ageless, putting down an energetic set with Kris Davis, Jaleel Shaw, and Nasheet Waits.
JG Thirlwell + Ensemble
Well, what to say about this. JG Thirlwell put on over an hour of dark cabaret with a chamber band conducted by bassist Simon Hanes of Trigger. This was easily the weirdest and most disturbing set of the weekend so far, and the first that I emphatically did not want to end.
Shabaka
I jokingly referred to this performance as “Shabaka and Four Guys Doing Mostly Nothing.” Shabaka stuck with flutes, the vocalist was quite good, and when the band all played together it really kicked. Most of the set was duets.
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