Canned Goods

Back when air was unthreatening and gainful employment afforded such luxuries, I considered traveling to Brooklyn to attend the Long Play festival.  Those were the days!

Although the event organized by the Bang on a Can collective was canceled, an extremely satisfying simulation of the festival thrilled me last month.  Not only were the awkward technology-related fumbles of Bang on a Can founders David Lang, Julia Wolfe and Michael Gordon utterly charming, their post-performance chats with musicians provided insights I wouldn’t have gained while sitting amid a big crowd in Brooklyn.  And most of the low-resolution performances by the likes of Mary Halvorson, Meredith Monk, Tim Fain, George E. Lewis, Meara O’Reilly, Martin Bresnick and Vijay Iyer were excellent.

That’s why I’ve blocked out six hours on Sunday, June 14, to watch the second installment of the Bang on a Can Marathon.  I risk hyperventilating while perusing the auspicious lineup. Rhiannon Giddens! Nik Bärtsch! Roscoe Mitchell! Tomeka Reid! Nico Muhly! Don Byron! Terry Riley!  I refuse to allow bill collectors to interrupt my Sunday afternoon revery.


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I review Hermon Mehari’s A Change For the Dreamlike at Plastic Sax.

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I like to believe Congressman Emanuel Cleaver is inspired by my screed about the Jazzy Jamdemic (ugh!) when he expresses chagrin about anemic viewership while justifying the expenditure during his frequent opening remarks for episodes of the daily initiative.

(Screenshot of Meredith Monk performing for the Bang on a Can Marathon on May 3 by There Stands the Glass.)

Album Review: Freddie Gibbs and the Alchemist- Alfredo

I sensed I was acting prematurely when I published lists of my favorite music of May last week.  Sure enough, Alfredo, a scathingly relevant outburst of soulful protests and abrasive swagger, was released May 29.  The elite collaboration between producer the Alchemist and rapper Freddie Gibbs combines the wizened soulfulness of Curtis Mayfield with the harsh immediacy of younger artists like SOB x RBE.  “1985” and “Something to Rap About” are among the essential tracks, but Rick Ross’ unexpected presence on the Gil-Scott Heron-inspired “Scottie Beam” makes Alfredo one of last month's best albums.


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While less essential, Stik Figa’s If It’s the Last Thing I Do is of a piece with Alfredo.  The 29-minute recording reaffirms the Topeka rapper’s status as a crucial elder statesman in the region’s underground rap scene.

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I examine the woefully-named Jazzy Jamdemic concert series at Plastic Sax.

(Original image by There Stands the Glass.)