"We Who Live On Land" by the Scavenger Quartet on the Acidsoxx Musiks label was released last year and I now have the honor to review it. The album features exotic instruments and is centered around Frank Pahl's compositions. The music weaves sound with textures that rise and fall through the surface. In songs like Crimson Jellyfish and Elegant Mermaiden, the piano is wonderfully extended by the high bells and low horns and accompanied by the warm tones of the marimba. The Quartet's songs can be meditative in delivery, like the musicians are under a spell yet are in full control of the atmosphere they create.
The Scavenger Duo, Joel Peterson on stand up bass and percussion and Frank Paul playing the Farfisa, a cello made into a guitar and a steel guitar ukulele, played last night at Slows. Frank Pahl makes many of his own instruments and the unique sound of the Scavenger Duo at times resembles music like the Residents but it really defies categorization. In the live setting the duo plays with an ease that can only be described as beatific.
The album "We Who Live On Land" is fantastic. The Scavenger Quartet renders Pahl's compositions beautifully and the entire album is played with great skill and feeling. Available through www.frankpahl.com.
On a side note, Joel Peterson is becoming Detroit's Cultural Center, bringing us music in all varieties at The Bohemian National Home and on Monday nights at Slows.
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Bohemian Concert Schedule
Friday, April 28th: Paik, Cuckold, Blk Tyger
Slowly and steadily, Paik has become one of the most important rock bands in
Detroit. Heavy, hypnotic drones and cave-man intensity drumming suggest both
dreamy futures and primal pasts. Cuckold proudly declares itself to be the
dirtiest band in Detroit". Have a bitter, broken heart? Then you might just
get over it after listening to Cuckold. Or will you be even more upset? Blk Tyger are group from Cleveland that Paik has been playing with for a while in Ohio. I believe this is Detroit's first
chance to catch them. Doors at 9PM, $5.
5/2: Shoplifting, Slumber Party, Bad Thoughts
An evening of rock and roll, courtesy of Olympia's Kill Rock Stars label. Seattle's Shoplifting plays politicized, experimental punk that isn't afraid to occasionally let the music take the spotlight from the lyrics. Detroit based label-mates Slumber Party mine the minimalist legacy of The Velvet Underground, but minus some testosterone. Both groups have new releases out on Kill Rock Stars. The unknown to me Bad Thoughts gets things started. This performance is in the Ballroom. Doors at 9pm, $6.
5/15: Ben Hall, Hans Buetow, Nate Wooley
Percussionist and ex-Entropy Studios impessario Ben Hall makes his debut at Bohemian National Home
with cellist Hans Buetow and trumpeter Nate Wooley. Ben and Hans have been playing a great deal together; they explore the improvisational currents that are running through concert (i.e. classical)chamber music. Presented in the intimate Library room. Doors at 8pm, $5.
Coming Soon:
5/28 Charles Gayle
5/29 Growing, Thrones and Mammal
6/2 Jessica Pavone and friends
6/10 Fiberglass Festival: Friends Of Dennis Wilson, Velvet Audio, Terrible
Twos, Heroes and Villains etc.
6/24 Film Night: The Detroit Premiere of "Wayne County Rambling" with live music by Nathaniel Mayer, The Rising Star Fife & Drum Band and Eddie Kirkland
7/28 Bridge 61 w/ Ken Vandermark, Jason Stein, Nate McBride and Timothy
Daisy
Also, hopefully Sam Rivers in July or August!
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