26 February 2009

Review: K3

Sullivan Hall 25 February 2009

It was about 7 seconds after the first notes were played out of the instruments of Wayne Krantz, Tim Lefebvre and Keith Carlock that I knew. They were on. Oh, they're always good, they're always great, but sometimes things get elevated to that special place. When they do you can only laugh. I call it the "Krantz giggle" -- a completely involuntary utterance from deep in your soul, conceived by a brain that has no idea how to process music that is this good. I had the giggle within 10 seconds of music being played. I knew then and there this was going to be one of those nights.

I will not see any music better than what I saw last night. Fact. Whether they had rehearsed or whether they were just feeding off old vibrations in the Village air wafting down from Christopher St., I don't know,. but it's been a while since I've seen three musicians locked in at such a high level for such a sustained amount of time. I made the comparison to "Lost" yesterday in preview and last night the music was pure smoke monster, mysteriously appearing out of nowhere, probing the audience's brain and then grabbing them by the leg and dragging them back to its lair.

Keith Carlock may very well be the best drummer on the planet. But usually I'd say he might be the 3rd best musician on stage when he's up there with Krantz & Lefebvre. Last night, there was no doubt who was the leader. Carlock *was* the music last night, everything flowed through him. It was all driven by tempo and energy and he was the driving force. Just. Completely. Insane. Drumming at its finest.

The band took the stage almost at 10pm on the nose -- huzzah for punctuality -- with a pretty much full house packing Sullivan Hall from front to back. I was a bit surprised at the crowd that came out for some K3 on a school night, but apparently there is some pent up demand. In retrospect, I shouldn't have been surprised at all. Personally, I wouldn't have missed it for nuthin' and I'm pretty sure most of the other folks in there felt the same way. Songs didn't really matter as usual for a Krantz gig, although some of those old, familiar riffs were comforting lampposts along the way, triggering memories of sitting at 55 Bar and sipping whiskey in complete awe. And awesome it was. Every tune, jam and vamp appeared and then multiplied on top of itself. Wayne's notes seemed to form into little Wayne's that each played their own notes and so on ad infinitium. It was like that scene in Fantasia where the Sorcerer's Apprentice brings the mop to life and then keeps breaking it into pieces and each piece becomes it's own mop until there were millions of 'em taking over. The music was kind of like that, except all three of them were chopping each others output and instead of chaos we got sheer, mind-bending beauty. Ain't nothing better.

There were a couple of "new" songs and even a few where they were reading off sheet music. My comment was that sheet music at a K3 show was like the plot in a porno, but it appeared they really were going right off what was written down. Wait, someone wrote that? Still, every song launched into wild improvisation, perfectly played, never wanky, never noodling, never drifting, always driving, always concise, always right. Even when mistakes seemed to be made, they were instantaneously turned into silver linings. Jams that seemed to be on the verge of meandering or fizzling, were flipped into subtler mood pieces, with Carlock always doing the heavy lifting of saving near-disasters and making them blissful epiphanies. I loved it when Wayne said " I wrote this song for Jeff Beck. He's recording a new album and I wrote a song for him for the album. He didn't want it." and then proceeded to rip though an absolutely monster composition/jam that would make men greater than Jeff Beck weep in "I'm not worthy" genuflections. I also loved it when the girlfriend of a guy standing next to me said "this doesn't really sound like jazz." I couldn't tell if she was complaining, complimenting or just observing. But she was right and she was smiling.

And he goes on and on... the show went a solid two sets, no encore and I stayed until the bitter end, even though 5 extra minutes of music meant 40 extra minutes of waiting for the train and an hour's less sleep. It was worth it. I'd do it again tonight.

These guys should play the Bowery Ballroom, just because. I'd like to see how that would work out. Regardless, they should play again. Sooner this time than the last.

Fin

PS It seems like the golden age of the can't-miss guaranteed weekly resideNYC mind blower has passed us by. If I was 8 years younger and living a subway ride away from every club in the city, where would I go every week for my freak out fix? Krantz was it; then the Duo; is there nothing else or am I just too old and out of touch to know?

22 February 2009

Shows of the Week

Nice week. Very nice. Pick your poison.

{Pick of the week: K3 @ Sullivan Hall (Wednesday)}

Click here for upcoming shows

Monday:
Les Paul @ Iridium (early/late)
Kevn Kinney @ National Underground
Adam Rudolph @ Roulette
*Ari Hoenig Group @ Small's (late/midnight)

Mardi Gras:
Bill Malchow et al @ Sullivan Hall
Chris Barron @ The National Underground
McCoy Tyner @ Blue Note (early/late)
Jason Crosby @ Living Room (late)
*Sugartone Brass Band @ Bell House (Brooklyn)
Edmar Castaneda @ Zinc bar (early/late)
Edward Simon Quartet @ Village Vanguard (early/late)
Tom Jones @ Terminal 5

Wednesday:
Thievery Corporation @ Terminal 5
*K3 @ Sullivan Hall
Ben Kweller (Watson Twins open) @ Town Hall
McCoy Tyner @ Blue Note (early/late)
Scott Holcomb @ Fat Baby
Tapes 'n Tapes @ Bowery Ballroom
Fountains of Wayne acoustic @ Joe's Pub (late)
Gods & Monsters @ Public Assembly (Brooklyn)
Gary Peacock @ Birdland (early/late)
Edmar Castaneda @ Zinc bar (early/late)
Edward Simon Quartet @ Village Vanguard (early/late)
Tokyo Police Club @ Webster Hall

Thursday:
Thievery Corporation @ Terminal 5
Edward Simon Quartet @ Village Vanguard (early/late)
Gene Ween Band (RSX opens) @ Highline Ballroom
*The Budos Band @ (Le) Poisson Rouge
Bell Orchestre @ BAM Opera House (Brooklyn)
Lionel Loueke Trio @ Jazz Standard (early/late)
Spanish Harlem Orchestra @ Blue Note (early/late)
Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit @ Bowery Ballroom
Noah Chernin @ Piano's (early)
Drug Rug, Salt & Samovar @ Mercury Lounge
Toad the Wet Sprocket @ Webster Hall
George Clinton & P-Funk All Stars @ BB King's
Gary Peacock @ Birdland (early/late)
Tapes N Tapes @ Music Hall (Brooklyn)
Circle of Buzzards et al @ Glasslands Gallery (Brooklyn)
Fountains of Wayne acoustic @ Joe's Pub (late)

Friday:
*David Byrne @ Radio City Music Hall
Jason Moran Bandwagon plays Monk @ Town Hall
Blitzen Trapper @ Bowery Ballroom
Van Morrison @ WaMu Theater at MSG
Edward Simon Quartet @ Village Vanguard (early/late)
Spanish Harlem Orchestra @ Blue Note (early/late)
Lionel Loueke Trio @ Jazz Standard (early/late)
The Moonlighters @ Barbes (Brooklyn) (late)
Phonograph et al @ Union Pool (Brooklyn)
Uninhabitable Mansions @ Union Hall (Brooklyn)
Chris Potter @ 55 Bar (late)
Hymns, Kieran McGee et al @ Piano's
Gary Peacock @ Birdland (early/late)

Saturday:
*Blitzen Trapper @ Music Hall (Brooklyn)
Clutch, Rev Peyton, Bakerton Group @ Crazy Donkey (Farmingdale, LI)
Serena Jean @ National Underground (early)
David Byrne @ Radio City Music Hall
Yohimbe Brothers @ Blue Note (late night)
Krasno/Russo/Hess/Deutsch @ Sullivan Hall
Van Morrison @ WaMu Theater at MSG
Edward Simon Quartet @ Village Vanguard (early/late)
Robert Glasper Trio @ Jazz Standard (early/late)
Robert Earl Keen (Cross Canadian Ragweed opens) @ Terminal 5
Smokey's Roundup @ Barbes (Brooklyn) (late)
Phosphorescent @ Bell House (Brooklyn)
Jamie Mclean @ National Underground (late)
They Might Be Giants @ (le) Poisson Rouge
Gary Peacock @ Birdland (early/late)
Spanish Harlem Orchestra @ Blue Note (early/late)
Buckwheat Zydeco @ BB King's (early/late)

Sunday:
Robert Glasper Trio @ Jazz Standard (early/late)
Edward Simon Quartet @ Village Vanguard (early/late)
*Stebmo Trio (Sickafoose, Wolleson, Moore) @ 55 bar (late)
Spanish Harlem Orchestra @ Blue Note (early/late)
Allen Toussaint @ Joe's Pub (noon)
Stephane Wrembel @ Barbes (Brooklyn) (late)

Click here for upcoming shows

15 February 2009

Shows of the Week

Enjoy!

President's Day:
The Duke Spirit @ Music Hall (Brooklyn)
Les Paul @ Iridium (early/late)
*Kevn Kinney et al @ National Underground
Lee Scratch Perry @ Highline Ballroom

Tuesday:
*The Bad Plus w/ Wendy Lewis (CD release) @ Bowery Ballroom
Fujiya & Miyagi @ (Le) Poisson Rouge
Medeski, Martin & Wood (acoustic) @ 92Y Tribeca
Ben Harper & The Relentless 7 @ Highline Ballroom
Jenny Scheinman w/ S. Cardenas, G. Cohen @ Barbes (Brooklyn) (early)
Tony Scherr et al @ Living Room
Chris Barron @ National Underground
Van Davis et al @ Bitter End
Andrwe D'Angelo's Living Health Big Band @ Tea Lounge (Brooklyn)
Zlatne Uste Brass Band @ Barbes (Brooklyn) (late)

Wednesday:
Medeski, Martin & Wood @ (le) Poisson Rouge
Ralph Stanley @ BB King's
Adam Levy, Mamie Minch et al @ Banjo Jim's
Andrew D'Angelo Trio w/ J. Black, T. Dunn @ Tea Lounge (Brooklyn)
*Randy Weston's African Rhythms Quartet @ Jazz Standard (early/late)
White Rabbits @ Mercury Lounge
MK Groove Orchestra et al @ Public Assembly (Brooklyn)

Thursday:
Antony & The Johnsons @ Town Hall
M Ward @ Apollo Theater
*Medeski, Martin & Wood @ City Winery
Leonard Cohen @ Beacon Theater
White Rabbits @ Mercury Lounge
Randy Weston's African Rhythms Quartet @ Jazz Standard (early/late)
Sam Bardfeld's Up Jumped the Devil @ Barbes (Brooklyn) (early)
Charlie Hunter @ Sullivan Hall
Boomish @ 55 Bar (late)
LL Cool J @ Nokia Theater
Matt Munisteri @ barbes (Brooklyn) (late)

Friday:
Neville Bros/Dr. John (NOKAS opens) @ Terminal 5
Antony & The Johnsons @ Town Hall
Demolition String Band @ Rodeo Bar
Randy Weston's African Rhythms Quartet @ Jazz Standard (early/late)
Ryan Adams & The Cardinals @ Shubert Theater (New Haven, CT)
*A Big YES and a small no @ Union Hall (Brooklyn)
Air Supply @ Nokia Theater
Tim Fite et al @ The Bell House (Brooklyn)

Saturday:
Leo Nocentelli/Trombone Shorty @ BB King's
*Anders Osbrone, Eric Lindell, Big Sam et al @ (Le) Poisson Rouge
New Orleans Klezmer All Stars, Brother Joscephus et al @ Sullivan Hall
Randy Weston's African Rhythms Quartet @ Jazz Standard (early/late)
Neville Bros/Dr. John @ HOB (Atlantic City)
Brooklyn Qawwali Party @ Barbes (Brooklyn) (late)
Joey Baron @ Roulette
Noah & The Whale @ Music Hall (Brooklyn)
Moonighters @ Googie's Lounge
Buddy Guy/BB King @ Beacon Theater
Forro In The Dark @ SOB's
The Delta Spirit @ Bowery Ballroom

Sunday:
*Ryan Adams & The Cardinals @ Wellmont Theater (Montclair, NJ)
Stephane Wrembel @ Barbes (Brooklyn) (late)
Matisyahu and Friends @ The Bell House (Brooklyn)
Randy Weston's African Rhythms Quartet @ Jazz Standard (early/late)
Ollabelle et al @ Banjo Jim's

08 February 2009

Shows of the Week

Hooray for lovers!

Click here for upcoming shows

Monday:
*Willie Nelson w/ W. Marsalis @ Lincoln Center
Lyle Lovett, John Hiatt @ Bergen PAC (Englewood, NJ)
Madeleine Peyroux @ Barbes (Brooklyn) (late)
Les Paul @ Iridium (early/late)

Tuesday:
Motian/Potter/Moran @ Village Vanguard (early/late)
*Jenny Scheinman @ Barbes (Brooklyn) (early)
Jason Crosby Band @ Ace of Clubs
Sonya Kitchell et al @ Rockwood Music Hall
Fake Male Voice et al @ Glasslands Gallery (Brooklyn)
Willie Nelson w/ W. Marsalis @ Lincoln Center
Lily Allen @ Bowery Ballroom

Wednesday:
Willie Nelson @ Count Basie Theater (Red Bank, NJ)
*Emergency Party et al @ Glasslands Gallery
Abigail Washburn w/ B. Sollee et al @ Joe's Pub (early/late)
Adam Levy et al @ Banjo Jim's
Motian/Potter/Moran @ Village Vanguard (early/late)
Robbers on High St et al @ Union Pool (Brooklyn)
Brett Dennen @ Webster Hall
Brad Mehldau et al @ Carnegie Hall

Thursday:
Lambchop @ Bowery Ballroom
Motian/Potter/Moran @ Village Vanguard (early/late)
*La Buya @ Barbes (Brooklyn) (late)
Tracy Bonham, Smokey's Roundup @ The Bell House (Brooklyn)
Golem @ Music Hall (Brooklyn)
Adam Rogers Trio @ 55 Bar (late)

Friday the 13th:
moe. @ Terminal 5
Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings @ Nokia Theater
Martin Sexton @ Town Hall
Motian/Potter/Moran @ Village Vanguard (early/late)
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah @ BAM (Brooklyn)
Jerry Joseph, Leni Stern et al @ Living Room
Reflections (Buddy Cage et al) @ Mexicali Blues (Teaneck, NJ)
Joy Askew @ Barbes (Brooklyn) (early)
Black Hollies, French Kicks et al @ Maxwells (Hoboken)
*Joe Russo Quartet @ Sullivan Hall (late night)
Paul Simon @ Beacon Theater
Cornmeal @ Blender Theater
Kelly Jo & The Preverts et al @ The National Underground
No Neck Blues Band @ Issue Project Room (Brooklyn)
Anita Baker @ Radio City Music Hall

Date Night!
*Paul Simon @ Beacon Theater
Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings @ Nokia Theater
Motian/Potter/Moran @ Village Vanguard (early/late)
moe. @ Terminal 5
Anita Baker @ Radio City Music Hall
Howard Fishman @ Barbes (Brooklyn) (late)
Martin Sexton (The Wood Brothers open) @ Town Hall
Legendary Shack Shakers, O'Death et al @ Maxwell's (Hoboken)
John Zorn Improv Night @ The Stone (early/late) (benefit)
Jennifer O'Connor et al @ Southpaw (Brooklyn)
Michetti @ Sullivan Hall (late night)

Sunday:
Allen Toussaint @ Joe's Pub (noon)
*Motian/Potter/Moran @ Village Vanguard (early/late)
Adam Levy & The Mint Imperials @ Barbes (Brooklyn) (early)
The Duke Spirit @ Maxwell's (Hoboken)
Steep Canyon Rangers @ Joe's Pub (early)
Stephane Wrembel @ Barbes (Brooklyn) (late)

Click here for upcoming shows

01 February 2009

Shows of the Week

I'm back. Help me catch up... what am I missing?

Enjoy!

Click here for upcoming shows

Monday:
*Robben Ford/Jorma Kaukonen @ BB King's
Frightened Rabbit (acoustic) @ (Le) Poisson Rouge
Les Paul @ Iridium (early/late)

Tuesday:
Tibet House Benefit (P. Glass, Vampire Weekend, The National et al) @
Carnegie Hall
*Jason Crosby Band @ Ace of Clubs
Demolition String Band @ Rodeo Bar
Sonya Kitchell et al @ Rockwood Music Hall

Wednesday:
Heartless Bastards @ Maxwell's (Hoboken)
*Doveman (plays Footloose) @ Joe's Pub (late)
David Bromberg Band @ BB King's
John Scofield @ Zankel Hall
Illinois @ Fontana's
Marah (Leroy Justice opens) @ Mercury Lounge
Adam Levy et al @ Banjo Jim's

Thursday:
Del McCoury Band @ Allen Room
*Twi - The Humble Feather @ The Stone (late)
Jorma Kaukonen/Robben Ford @ Bergen PAC (Englewood, NJ)
Big Head Todd & The Monsters @ Fillmore
Steve Cardenas @ 55 Bar (late)
Marah @ Maxwell's (Hoboken)

Friday:
The Black Keys (Heartless Bastards open) @ Terminal 5
Beirut (Kaki King opens) @ BAM (Brooklyn)
Cat Power @ Apollo Theater
The Moonlighters @ Barbes (Brooklyn) (late)
Jonah Smith @ 55 Bar (early)
*Bar Kokhba/Masada Sextet @ Abrons Arts Center
Theresa Andersson @ Joe's Pub (late)

Saturday:
Levon Helm @ Wellmont Theater (Montclair, NJ)
**John Zorn's the Dreamers @ Abrons Arts Center
Gene Ween Band @ Music Hall (Brooklyn)
The Black Keys (Heartless Bastards open) @ Terminal 5
Gary Louris/Mark Olson @ Zankel Hall
Cat Power @ Apollo Theater
Donna The Buffalo @ Bowery Ballroom

Sunday:
*The Black Keys @ Wellmont Theater (Montclair, NJ)
Stephane Wrembel @ Barbes (Brooklyn) (late)
Ollabelle et al @ Banjo Jim's
Maricopa @ Piano's

Click here for upcoming shows