DRKWAV
May 2nd, 2017
New Orleans, LA @ Blue Nile
VIDEO 1: Canon XA20 on tripod
VIDEO 2: Yi 4K Action Cam on stage
AUDIO: Sony ECM-MS908C stereo mic > Canon XA20 video cam
01. Improv
02. Improv
03. Improv >
04. Gazzelloni [Eric Dolphy cover] >
05. Space Is The Place [Sun Ra cover] (for Col. Bruce Hampton, Ret.)
DRKWAV:
John Medeski – keyboards
Skerik – saxophone
Adam Deitch – drums
This show was dedicated to Colonel Hampton B. Coles, Retired
(April 30, 1947 – May 1, 2017) R.I.P.
Lettuce / Witches Stew (billed as Bitches Bloom)
May 2nd, 2017 – New Orleans, LA @ Blue Nile
Part 1 of 4: Sivad > Benny Runs The Voodoo Down >
Bee Getz as quoted in his NOLA Jazz Fest After-Dark 2017 overview review at Live For Live Music:
Bitches Bloom followed DRKWAV’s phantasmagorical performance Tuesday night at the Blue Nile, and the Royal Fam regiment immediately distinguished themselves from the dozens of other tributes taking place around town. Helmed by Lettuce trumpet player Eric “Benny” Bloom, Bitches Bloom took a long, hard look into the Miles Davis catalog of the late 60’s and dawn of the 70’s. Bloom employed a sort of method acting, mean-mugging and glaring at his assembled players until they achieved tone and textures to his liking, just as Davis would do to start performances in those times. Bloom was joined by Lettuce co-conspirators Adam Deitch (drums), Nigel Hall (keys), Ryan Zoidis (sax), and Jesus Coomes, who handled the Michael Henderson basslines with aplomb.
Lettuce / Witches Stew (billed as Bitches Bloom)
May 2nd, 2017 – New Orleans, LA @ Blue Nile
Part 2 of 4: Shhh/Peaceful > It’s About That Time >
Benny Bloom was master of ceremonies and star of this serenade. The steamy, foreboding performance saw sit-ins from Wil Blades (organ) and trumpet mavens Maurice “Mo Betta” Brown and Aaron Janik. Benny meticulously searched deep into the annals of this era, and the setlist included opener “Sivad,” a harrowing revamp entitled “Benny Runs the Voodoo Down,” “Right Off,” “It’s About that Time,” “Jean Pierre,” this writer’s favorite jam “Black Satin” (off of 1972’s brilliant On the Corner). Be advised that the separations hardly mattered, as they were just shifts in groove that altered the time-space continuum. Leaving the Blue Nile sometime near 4 a.m., we were left shaking our heads at how Benny and company had so effectively mined the Miles zeitgeist whilst delivering this shell-shocking, inventive performance. Bitches Bloom found itself immediately on the short list of the finest shows at Jazz Fest 2017, a testament to the modus operandi of this murderers’ row.
Lettuce / Witches Stew (billed as Bitches Bloom)
May 2nd, 2017 – New Orleans, LA @ Blue Nile
Part 3 of 4: Right Off (with Aaron Janik & Maurice Brown) > Improv?
Lettuce / Witches Stew (billed as Bitches Bloom)
May 2nd, 2017 – New Orleans, LA @ Blue Nile
Part 4 of 4: Black Satin > Jean Pierre
Lettuce / Witches Stew (billed as Bitches Bloom)
May 2nd, 2017
New Orleans, LA @ Blue Nile
Sony ECM-MS908C stereo mic > Canon XA-20 video cam as LPCM 16/48 audio > 16/44 WAV > FLAC
AUDIO DOWNLOAD: FLAC TORRENT or MP3 ZIP 1 or MP3 ZIP 2 or LIVE MUSIC ARCHIVE
01. Sivad >
02. Benny Runs The Voodoo Down >
03. Shhh/Peaceful > It’s About That Time >
04. Right Off (with Aaron Janik & Maurice Brown) >
05. Improv?
06. Black Satin >
07. Jean Pierre
Eric Benny Bloom – trumpet, keyboards, percussion
Ryan Zoidis – saxophone
Adam Deitch – drums
Jesus Coomes – bass
Wil Blades – keyboards
Nigel Hall – keyboards
Guests:
Maurice Brown – trumpet
Aaron Janik – trumpet
Break Science Live Band
April 30, 2016 New Orleans, LA @ Blue Nile
Part 1 of 2: Owner Of A Lonely Heart [Yes] > Goin ‘Down [Michal Menert collab], In Full Effect (clip), Hand Clapping Song [The Meters] > Funky Style (clip), Brain Reaction, Intergalactic
Bee Getz as quoted in his NOLA Jazz Fest After-Dark 2016 overview review at Live For Live Music:
Break Science is trendsetter in realms of live electronic music; implementing avant garde approaches to technology while retaining core identity and original sound. The duo comprised of Adam Deitch and keyboardist/sampler/producer Borahm Lee have begun to reinvent themselves as a live band, drafting Lettuce crew Jesus Coomes (bass), Adam “Shmeeans” Smirnoff (guitar) and The Shady Horns (Ryan Zoidis & Eric “Benny” Bloom) to make a formidable dance music dragon.
It’s clear that familiarity and trust are crucial to the duo’s transition into a full live band. Deitch remains a force behind the kit, propelling the breaks, programming pads, and setting the ultimate tone; while Lee is mad professor, furiously twisting knobs, painting Rhodes colors, and layering the synth waves. Shmeeans and Jesus would lay back, low-down dirty and deep in the cut, serving the songs and keeping it vibey with disciplined restraint.
On the other hand, saxophonist Ryan Zoidis was levitation station, a dude not of this earth. The Shady Horns veteran hellraiser married imaginative melodies with sinister, psychedelic tones; all done through his Korg analog guitar-synth triggered by a custom-equipped mouthpiece. Eric
Benny” Bloom is well versed in live-band electro-soul from his tours of duty in Pretty Lights Analog Future Band, and his stimulating, muffled wah wailing remained a perfect Zoidis foil in yet another compelling context.
The undeniable Tycho/Kendrick Lamar mashup “Vibe Walk” was a moving expedition, paired with familial collaborations with Michal Menert (“Goin Down”). Two tracks from the recent Manic Science project were reinterpreted: the Nice & Smooth-sampled “Funky Style,” and the haunting Pretty Lights remix “I Can See it in Your Face.” In mixing older Break Science originals like “Zion Station”, re-working NOLA classics (The Meters “Hand-Clapping Song”), and powering through AOR radio staples (Yes‘s “Owner of a Lonely Heart”), the omnifarious Break Science personalities were revealed. A smattering of new songs were interspersed within the set, only adding to the promising potential of this larger unit. Break Science Live Band surpassed many expectations, and chaperoned an enchanting journey down the wormhole of organic electronic music in 2016.
Break Science Live Band
April 30, 2016 New Orleans, LA @ Blue Nile
Part 2 of 2: Throwback [Michal Menert collab] > I Can See It In Your Face [Pretty Lights], Let’s Go, Vibe Walk [Kendrick Lamar vs Tycho]
NOTE: Please excuse the fact that the audio on these is subpar. I think my Sony ECM-MS908C external video cam microphone started to crap out in a weird way (after extended use in the humidity I guess?). Luckily it didn’t happen until the 8th night (of 8 nights) so it didn’t affect too much of my footage. I promptly replaced the mic. I actually I picked up two because it is no longer being manufactured. I’ve been using these mics since 1999 and they still do a great job. I think I’ve owned 5 of them, if you count the 2 I have now.