Territory Band-6 w/ Fred Anderson

Rob C · August-24th-2006, 11:05 PM

I don't have time to write a full on review, but I just got home from Chicago's Millenium Park where I got to see a fantastic show by Ken Vandermark's Territory Band-6, with featured soloist Fred Anderson. This followed an opening set by Fred w/ Hamid and Harrison Bankhead that was nice, if not that different from a lot of sets I've seen with those guys. I did think the resonance and echo of the amplification gave Fred's tenor a nice sound, though (kudos to the engineers who designed Mill. Park, by the way, the sound is really pretty incredible there).

But the main attraction was the TB. A new composition by KV was played and while it was similar to other TB compositions, it was similarly wonderful music. And Fred really did add something special here. Ever wondered what he'd sound like duetting with a laptop? Neither did I, but now I know. The concert hit a really awesome climax when first Paul Lytton soloed, then Paal Nilssen-Love joined him, then one saxophonist at a time joined in until all four, Fred, Dave Rempis, Fredrik Ljungkvist and KV were all blowing their tenors like mad--NIRVANA. Then it came down for a nice swingin' finish.

I'm happy to report it was recorded for Okka for 2007 release.

I also saw, last night, DKV Trio and a trio with Fred, Lytton, and Ingebrigt Haker-Flaten play at Hideout. That was some pretty cool shit right there, too. And I picked up the new Territory Band-5 triple disc set, which I didn't even know was coming out: "A New Horse for the White House". Ken's representing. Haven't had a chance to give it a proper listen yet, but disc one sounded good in my first partial attention spin of it!

moonra · August-25th-2006, 10:21 AM

yeah, I was lucky enough to catch the full Territory crew in Milwaukee last Saturday. I was happy to see KV step up to the plate during this show as he normally takes a back seat with the bigger crew. The highlight for me was the KV solo during the track "cards" when I thought he couldn't go any higher and he did. I wish I could have made the CHI show as well. By any chance dod you catch the DKV Trio on Wed. night at the Hideout?