Australian Bebop Ragas October 5, 2007

rockwelw

In January of 2007, three remarkably in-demand musicians found one night to get away from their numerous other projects, and created an extraordinary musical synthesis. (without synthesizers, or any other kind of electronically sampled sound). Teed Rockwell played traditional Hindustani Music on his uniquely tuned and strung Touchstyle Fretboard (aka Chapman Stick®). Stephen Kent’s virtuostic didjeridu became a “Tanpura on Steroids”, producing a drone, a driving bass line, and a range of percussive colors. Sameer Gupta created Indian cross-rhythmic innovations on both tabla and jazz drum kit. Although there was almost no advance publicity, the audience was crammed together cheek-by-jowl and spilling out onto the sidewalk. The crowd went crazy after every number, and sang the group’s praises during the intermissions. Here are some comments from a couple of local luminaries who were fortunate enough to be there.


Wow, you really blew us away last night. People are going to be talking about this for a long time. Part of what you guys were doing sounded like being at the Fillmore in 1972 with Jim Morrison and the Doors, except updated to the 21st century with the didjeridu and new takes on old ecstasy-- extremely exciting. You guys really evoked and surpassed the best of that world changing music that they were doing then. I pictured you opening at the Fillmore, actually, and soon. You are already that good right out of the gate. I am not kidding. 


(Sandy Miranda, KPFA radio host.

)

True fusion is where borders are melted and individual egos are dissolved in the harmony and rhythm of the spirit of love. You succeeded in both accounts; keeping individual virtuosity visible but to a minimum. The focus was music and sharing

.
(Behzad Mohit, Poet/Impresario)

Who would have guessed that something as weird as this could have sounded so good, and appeal to so many people? Can you imagine some guy in an office at Capital records saying "our focus groups and market research reveal that what people want to hear is didjeridu, tablas, jazz drums, and electric touchstyle fretboard."? It just goes to show that decisions like this shouldn't be made in offices.

Berkeley’s Freight and Salvage will be the next showcase for Australian Bebop Ragas (What else could you call a group like this? Not that there are any other groups like this.) It’s an opportunity not to be missed.