Triptych Myth at Johnson State College, Johnson, VT

[Gary Sisco]

I'm really tired so this won't be an artful review but wanted to get the subject kicked off, anyway.

As anticipated, Triptych Myth (Cooper-Moore, Tom Abbs, Chad Taylor) was a great treat to hear live, especially out here in the boons, thanks to the efforts of our own Root Doctor.

I liked them live more than on their CDs, and I like their CDs very much, especially the first one, on Hopscotch.

Cooper-Moore was the force of nature he always is, but Abbs and Taylor more than abley held up their ends of the trio. C-M also showed a melodic, balladlike, sometimes gospel-like, side that isn't always on display but was last night, along with his more out side. I'd highly encourage anyone who has a chance to hear them live to get out and do it.

The college, amazingly, provided almost no promo, so I'd expected a tiny crowd of the converted, but, while the room wasn't full, there were two or three times more people than I'd expected to see. A few Burlington stalwarts made the drive out (nearly unheard of). JC was in the house, with Roots, John B, and I flying the colors. The Northeast Kingdom branch of the Vision Festival scene were out, too -- David Budbill and a few others.

After the show, in one of those experiences you have no reason to expect, Cooper-Moore was chez Sisco, along with Root Doctor and our pal, Paul, for a bunch of beer, great stories and commentary from Cooper-Moore, some red-bean chili and, unfortunately, burned rice. Must've been that bud again.

A couple hours of great music, followed by a couple of hours of great company. Who could ask for more?



The sound, by students, I think, was done very well.