REVIEW: EUGENE CHADBOURNE AND VERTREK ENSEMBLE - DIMSUM, DODGERS AND DANGEROUS NIGHTS

 

EUGENE CHADBOURNE AND VERTREK ENSEMBLE - DIMSUM, DODGERS AND DANGEROUS NIGHTS (Volatile Recs. - 2000):  An experimental and improvisational recording from this canadian label completely focused on improvisational music. The Vertrek Ensemble is a duo consisting of Vadim Budman on guitars, trumpet, cornet, wooden flute and harmonica and Ron de Jong on drums, percussion, cymbals and bells. Together with improvisational master Eugene Chadbourne (on vocals, guitar and banjo) they create this great recordins consisting of four experimental tracks. The first track "If I were a Bell/ Variations on a Theme by Holst (or Mahler?)" starts as a country or jazz tune but suddenly turns into more experimental path with Vadim and Chadbourne trading phrases with their respective instruments. This track is a fantastic mix of diverse improvisational techniques and is almost thirty three minutes long. Second track " I Challenge you to an Epiphone Duo" shows both guitarists stretching their playing into new atmospheres and textures, creating interesting moments of tension with their use of odd harmonies.and counterpoint. "Death Lives in That Bayou" is my favorite track with loads of experimentation and the use of a banjo. This is like a country tune gone mad !! I like the spontaneityin all this recording and the open mind of this three men trying to stretch music boundaries. Email: volatile@canada.com