Revolutionary Snake Ensemble - Live Snakes
SKU
28-ACC5065.2
"It’s Mardi Gras time‚ so make way for Boston-based saxophonist Ken Field and his Revolutionary Snake Ensemble‚ who use boisterous New Orleans brass-band rhythms as a launching pad for unbridled improvisations on their third album.
Recorded in 2011 and 2013 in Boston‚ Brooklyn and Manhattan‚ Live Snakes presents four configurations of the costume-sporting band‚ a revolving cast of Boston-area players since it was formed in 1990. Horns are everywhere and rhythm is ever-present on this passionately performed program of down-home hymns‚ angular Field originals‚ a jazz standard‚ a bit of 1950s pop and even a couple of psychedelic remixes.
Three guest New Yorkers—tenor saxophonist and flutist Matt Darriau‚ trombonist Josh Roseman and drummer Kenny Wollesen—figure prominently in these sessions‚ and New Orleans tenor saxophonist Charles Neville deepens the Crescent City vibe on a pair of tracks. Emotion runs deep in these performances‚ inspired by the 2011 passing of Field’s wife‚ filmmaker and animator Karen Aqua.
“The whole New Orleans concept of a jazz funeral‚ where it’s very somber and moving at the beginning and then you break into celebratory uptempo grooves afterwards‚ really helped shape this album‚” Field says in the press materials for the CD. “You’re mourning and you’re celebrating. The music encompasses these really conflicting emotions‚ joy and sadness at the same time.” Nowhere is this dichotomy better demonstrated than the improvised lamentation “For Karen‚” which segues seamlessly into a churchy rendition of the spiritual “I’ll Fly Away‚” eventually giving way to high-steppin’ street-beat ecstasy. This bawdy ensemble is at its best in group-improv and spontaneous-arrangement mode‚ whether channeling Sun Ra’s avant Arkestra or emulating old-school traditions. The band thrives on experimentation while still keeping things accessible."-Ed Enright, DownBeat
- LabelAccurate
- UPC743431506528