Bassist Shuhei Yamamoto (front) with his new band. Courtesy Pet Lions.
Shuhei Yamamoto, a founding member of Duke band Stella by Starlight, recently finished Soft Right, the new EP for his Chicago-based project, Pet Lions. For the full story about Pet Lions, read the recess story here. As a special feature for The Playground, readers can listen to tracks from the EP by following the links below. For more information about the band, including all upcoming shows, look to the band’s Myspace here.
1. Roman History
2. Propeller Plane
Bestselling author Augusten Burroughs will be at the Carolina Theatre tonight in support of his latest book A Wolf at the Table, a memoir about his father. He will appear alongside friend and Durham author Haven Kimmel, most recently the author of Iodine: A Novel. Co-sponsored by the Durham County Public Library and Regulator Bookshop, the event begins at 7 p.m. in cinema one of the theatre. Both authors will be available for a signing after the conversation. Books will also be available for purchase.
Bela Fleck on stage at Page Auditorium, 4/7/09. Credit: Chase Olivieri/The Chronicle
Time flies when you’re having fun; when you’re having fun and watching Bela Fleck and friends, fingers fly, too. But while pretty well everyone in the sold-out house was awestruck at the likes of D’Gary, more than one audience member was overheard remarking that they were shocked three hours had passed. It was that kind of show.
It’s one thing to put together a stunning band, and that’s something Fleck has done. Take the world’s greatest banjo player and add: a leading blind Tanzanian singer-instrumentalist and his guitarist, playing blazing marimba lines; Madagascaran guitarist D’Gary (I’ve seen some fast guitarists, from John McLaughlin to Richard Thompson, but I have never seen anyone play a six-string with anywhere near that much speed) and percussionist Mario; South African singer-songwriter Vusi Malhasela; and Fleck’s counterpart on the kora, Toumani Diabate. All of them were part of his new CD and documentary film, both called Throw Down Your Heart. (Also contributing was class A bluegrass fiddler Casey Driessen.)
It’s another thing to turn that into great music, and that’s also something the band did. African music has been perhaps the greatest beneficiary of the world-music boom, and that’s partly because it resonates well with American ears. (Maybe that’s a product of the fact that much American music comes from African roots. One of Malhasela’s songs, written about the brutalities of apartheid and the need for forgiveness, often sounded like a Piedmont blues.) Each set of musicians or musician played a two- or three-song set before being joined by Fleck for another song.
Fleck’s an amazing musician—although I knew his music, I’d missed his frequent tours here and in high school, a mistake I won’t repeat—but being able to see the masters make their music alone was magical (attempting to rank them would be foolish and impossible; attempting to describe each would take far more words than anyone wants to read). And the minisets allowed listeners to get a feel for each style and country, something that the more segmented disc makes impossible. When he did join them, his contributions were judicious and virtuosic. But perhaps my favorite moment was the last song of the first set, when he was joined by D’Gary, Mario and Driessen. With the three other musicians on-stage, Fleck was free to relax and occasionally lay out. Letting the banjo rest for a moment he stood back and watched the other three; the joy on his face was as strong as the joy in the audience, and said everything that needed to be said about the night.
Previously: Throw Down Your Heart album review
12 Notes Down, the Danish documentary that won the Full Frame Jury Award for Best Short, is a quaint and emotional spotlight that reminds us of the painful process of moving on.
Jorgis, the fourteen-year old star of the Copenhagen Royal Chapel Choir, must face the realization that his voice is changing. With an important concert only weeks away, he must decide what to do: continue to sing and risk damaging his voice or bow out. Singing clearly is a fundamental aspect of Jorgis’ identity: he serenades his parents at the dinner table and, as seen by the pictures above his bed, has traveled all over Europe singing with the choir. The choir also gives Jorgis power and purpose: he is the respected, mature authority in the group whom others look admire.
Departing from the group presents Jorgis with his first real lesson on the difficulty in leaving parts of your identity behind. It is a hard truth, but Jorgis—in typical Danish fashion—decides to make his departure modest, and without a big fuss. Jorgis determinedly looks at himself in the mirror as he pulls on his choir robe for the last time, knowing he must conclude this chapter in his life in order to advance.
The film features some unforgettable moments. A beautifully shot dream sequence involving Jorgis singing alone at the balcony of the Chapel is the most breathtaking. During Jorgis’ final performance, the camera eventually rests on Jorgis amongst the crowd of singers, capturing the tremendous emotions he experiences as his departure dawns on him during the choir’s final song.
12 Notes Down briefly but fully reveals a life in heartbreaking transition. And, like music off of chapel walls, its story will reverberate in your mind and soul.
Courtesy GoldenBelt
The poster says it all. Local indie favorites and Merge band the Rosebuds and special guests Midtwon Dickens come together for a benefit concert hosted by Golden Belt April 24 at 9 p.m. All net proceeds go to support Durham Arts Council. Tickets are $12 a pop, and those basking in the return of OnlyBurger can get there fix at the show.
