Search - Peter Brotzmann, Haruhiko Gotus, Tetsu Yamauchi :: Dare Devil

Raw, high.energy session. Rock-oriented.

Adolph Pinelad | Montreal, Quebec Canada | 03/17/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Peter Brötzmann - reedsman

Shoji Hano - drums

Tetsu Yamauchi - electric bass

Haruhiko Gotsu - guitar



The set played here is plain raw. It is almost anarchic at times. It has a garage-punk feel to it. This album is not entirely free; it is for the most part based on steady, high energy grooves set by the drums and the bass. Brötzmann rips all over the place in his typical fashion, and the guitar wails about. This vibe brings to mind the music of Last Exit, due to the similar instrument setup.

The second track allows for some rest, a little space, very sparse, a brief break to once again pick up where they has left off and kick back in. The drums in the bass let into a slow, driving groove, a slowed-down anthem, and you can picture the small audience bobbing their heads accordingly.

Then Haruhiko starts mangling his guitar strings and you can hear the feedback of the not properly grounded guitar going on and off, and about two or three members of the audience cheering. And then, all of sudden, the bass and Brötzmann slam in, and the drums quickly follow.

The bass and the drums work as a driving force, steady, the bass gives only one long note, and Brötzmann rips all over it, and then the guitar wails along. It sounds great. Then the guitar and bass kind of fall out and you have sax and drums going at it in simultaneous solo work or a clashing duo, either way, until the bass and the guitar creep back in to give it all texture and a sense of order.

The recording sound is slightly gritty, but it goes very well with the personality of the set. You can almost picture the kind of place where such a show would go down. It sounds like a grey industrial, post-punk decadent joint. At least you can picture it like that, and it works pretty well. Some of the moments on this are pretty impressive and you can feel the energy build up and exploding. It is pretty much a fun recording to listen to, but you definitely have to be adjusted to the high energy level. It is not the best record out by Brötzmann, but it works, and if you can take the sonic assault, you will definitely enjoy this. The record actually showcases the drums and the bass and you could consider Brotzmann to sound more like a guest on this even though it is his session. Recommended.



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