Oak Cliff, 2.15.2024

The first thing I'll say about tonight's show at The Wild Detectives is how refreshing it was to hear two sets of music without electrical amplification. Now, I'm no Luddite and I love a loud electric guitar as much as the next person with tinnitus from standing in front of great big amps, but there is nothing like experiencing the thrill of feeling the vibrations from drum heads, reeds, and strings vibrating your solar plexus without any intervening technology.

The program consisted of two duos: two Chrises, preceded by two basses. A first time duo of Chris Pitsiokos on alto and Chris Corsano on drums erupted out of the gate with kinetic force that continued unabated for pretty much the duration of their set. The Berlin-based Pitsiokos moves a big column of air through his horn to power a volcanic flow of ideas sustained by circular breathing wonderment. (That which I can't comprehend but know is real I call magic.) His robust sound reminded me of Henry Threadgill (whose birthday it was) writing about the difference between the tenor (a blues horn) and alto (made for testifying and speaking in tongues). Pitsiokos interrupted the glossolalia to take the music to a mellow Johnny Hodges space, replete with warm vibrato, before ramping up the energy again.

A buddy of mine in San Diego had seen Corsano last week in a trio with Mike Watt and Joe Baiza, and he told me to expect intensity. But nothing could have prepared me for the experience of watching Corsano at work behind his kit from five feet away. He can play more with one hand (one or two sticks) than any drummer I ever witnessed, and he's thinking ten times as fast -- switching between sticks and beaters, looking around for a cymbal or other percussion implement to toss on top of a drum, using the rubber tips on the grips of one pair of sticks to rub against the heads, another stick with the metal disc from a tambourine attached. He even had a pedal for the bottom head of his floor tom. Cat used everything available to make music. An invigorating set. They're at Rubber Gloves tomorrow night with Trio Glossia. You owe it to yourself.

Opening set was by bassists Matthew Frerck (speaking of Trio Glossia) and Aaron Gonzalez, playing together for the first time in seven years. The sound of two upright basses on the wooden floor was a particular delight. Frerck and Gonzalez used the full array of techniques available -- arco, pizzicato, false harmonics, percussive sounds, playing every area of the instrument, following each other (and at times trying to unfollow, Frerck said), moving from spontaneously created counterpoint to harsh scraping sounds. I'd like to hear more of this duo. Frerck had a digital recorder running; I hope the recording came out. Best Thursday night in awhile. And now, to bed.