Monday, December 8, 2008

Henry Threadgill, Spirit of Nuff...Nuff (Black Saint)

Say what? Punctus contra punctum. My man John Rahn (Music Inside Out, 2000): "It is hard to write a beautiful song. It is harder to write several individually beautiful songs that, when sung simultaneously, sound as a more beautiful polyphonic whole. The internal structures that create each of the voices separately must contribute to the emergent structure of the polyphony, which in turn must reinforce and comment on the structures of the individual voices. The way that is accomplished in detail is...'counterpoint.'" It is even harder to improvise beautiful counterpoint. And it is even harder to do that with two electric guitars over two tubas, Threadgill's choice of alto or flute, and drums pulsing zydeco... like baroque chamber music for New Orleans brass band. Historical counterpoint... Hysterical counterpoint.

Suggested Wine Pairing: Hmmm... something unusual but palatable, and a white to go with the guitars (white wines seem to go better with electricity). Ah yes, a Roussane, but one that plays against Grenache and Viognier: Chateau L'Ermitage, Rhone Valley 2006, with thanks to Rachel and Ruth for the tip. Nuff...said.

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