DK3 - Neutrons

claude · May-15th-2003, 07:43 AM

Picked this up yesterday on whim, basically because Ken Vandermark was involved. Not familar with the other two (Duane Denison (guitar & bass) and James Kimball (drums & aquaharp?))

I've only listened to it a couple of times so I can't really give a review. Also, since this is an old one I'm sure it was reviewed back in 97 when it was released.

My initial impressions are that there is some really good playing from KV (as expected based on my recent first exposure to him with the V5). I wasn't so sure about the percussions on the first track, but subsequent tracks got better. More of a personal taste thing, it just sounded a little too "industrial" for me.

Regarding the drummer, they also list him as playing something called an aquaharp. I may be showing my inexperience here, but what the hell is that?

Anyway, any other opinions on this one.

claude · May-15th-2003, 08:17 AM

I have to amend something, while I liked what I heard from Ken on this one, there is entirely too little of him in evidence.

I also didn't realize how short this CD is. It's only a little over 30 minutes in total. Oh well, that's what you get for impulse buying.

Sergio Zamora · May-15th-2003, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by claude
Regarding the drummer, they also list him as playing something called an aquaharp. I may be showing my inexperience here, but what the hell is that?

You don't know what an aquaharp is? Tsk, tsk. Shame. And you call yourself a jazz fan. Why, everybody knows what an aquaharp is...

claude · May-15th-2003, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sergio Zamora
You don't know what an aquaharp is? Tsk, tsk. Shame. And you call yourself a jazz fan. Why, everybody knows what an aquaharp is...

I know, my head is hanging in shame as I write this..

ryans · May-15th-2003, 03:57 PM

duanne dennison from The Jesus Lizard?

claude · May-15th-2003, 04:13 PM

Yup, one in the same I guess. This is what I found from a brief description on another site:

Jesus Lizard guitarist Duane Denison and Jim Kimball (formerly of Mule and Laughing Hyenas and later the Jesus Lizard) used to form the unlikely two-man threesome, The Denison-Kimball Trio. More surprising still, they played cool, jazzy instrumentals -- the exact opposite of what their rock bands allowed. Now they've added another member -- the extraorinary, if ubiquitous, free jazz reedman Ken Vandermark -- and rechristened themselves DK3.
Their full length debut, Neutrons (Quarterstick) is an exciting album exploring improvisation, sound textures, and anarchic noise. Their first recording was the soundtrack to the film Walls In the City (Jim Sikora) which starts JL's David Yow. The followup features special appearances by Vandermark, producer Brad Wood, and guest organist David Wm. Sims (also of JL).

MRS · May-15th-2003, 08:08 PM

. . .one of the worst films I own, even though Dave almost saves the day. When I was in high school I would literally leave town every weekend with a chum across the river to see JL and on even more drunken occasions, Mule. Vandermark sits in with the DKV on their second date for an Ornette tune. The trio never really struck me. And if you think this music stands peripheral of the work of each players' 'main' band, you're dead wrong (well, Mule is pretty different). JL was a very, very talented rock band. . .actually David Yow encouraged me to buy my first jazz record in a conversation after he knocked me cold with his boot (true story). They did stuff in odd time signatures (for rock), a complexity of chordal structure even Weirdo would appreciate, absurdist lyricism, direct delivery on stage, and I really believe they will go down as one of the most undervalued outfits in the idiom. It's without question not for everyone, and the period of my life when I became aquainted with them musically and personally is one that you would expect such things to happen. Why aren't their rock bands that play live like JL anymore? Anything through "Down" is pretty much incredible. "Show" is the seminal live date. In Denison's apartment he has a fly strip--drawn on is a fretboard with a Sharpie (where he gets his fingerings). The trio doesn't do it though. I have lots of 7" stuff if anyone's interested, I think from T&G.

Now if there's another Mule fan on the board, I want to meet him. I'll bring the Fighting Cock. Their eponymous first album off 1/4 stick was maybe the greatest rock album of the nineties. Preston Cleveland aka PW Long is a veeeerrrry interesting bloke to have a Budweiser with.

Wow. . .is it obvious I haven't talked about this stuff in a few years?

MRS · May-15th-2003, 08:14 PM

And whomever penned that article, Claude, is a mook. They have always been the Denison/Kimball Trio. Their follow up date (to the soundrack album, which was 'full') which includes Vandermark sitting in on an Ornette tune is called "Soul Machine," and probably the best of the lot.

claude · May-16th-2003, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Michael Schaumann
And whomever penned that article, Claude, is a mook. They have always been the Denison/Kimball Trio. Their follow up date (to the soundrack album, which was 'full') which includes Vandermark sitting in on an Ornette tune is called "Soul Machine," and probably the best of the lot.

Didn't know the music but I could guess that they were a "mook" (don't know what that is either but it seems to fit) by the typos, grammar and confused writing.