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JOHN KING – PAST REVIEWS " Another recent Ethel disc, “AllSteel,” issued on John Zorn's Tzadik label, is devoted exclusively to works by John King, an electric guitarist and the former curator of music programming at the Kitchen. The most substantial piece is the one that lends the disc its title. Mr. King sketched four movements of “AllSteel” on Sept. 10, 2001, then added another four in response to the tumultuous events of the next day. The movements composed before the tragedy are energetic, jazzy and occasionally abrasive in their high spirits; those that followed move from numbed anguish to quiet resilience and hope. “'Round Sunrise” is in two movements, a relaxed blues and a bustling conclusion based on a persistent riff. Both sections require extensive improvisation. The Ethel players respond with serpentine lines and greasy slurs. Similar qualities characterize “Lightning Slide,” which Mr. King composed for Kronos. Insistently chugging rhythms in the opening and closing movements suggest the momentum of a runaway locomotive. Happily, Ethel keeps eight firm hands on the wheel. " "On last Thursday night's opening program was the world premiere of John King's "AllSteel", an eight-movement work that touched on an extraordinarily wide range of styles. Movements were often driven by rhythmic figures that, in different instrumental shades, could propel a rock jam, but there was also a movement with an extended cello solo, played pizzicato and with sliding notes in the style of a jazz bass. Between the more outgoing movements were quiet if not entirely serene interludes." "Most impressive was John King's "All Steel," a meaty composition full of buoyant energy. The composer, a violinist and guitarist, hit a target that many fall short of: Each of the eight or so connected movements had a distinctive character or groove, with much rhythmic invention and interesting harmonic wanderings, often the result of gently sliding counterpoint. While there was nothing that screamed "I'm trying to sound like rock music," the work was utterly contemporary and street-smart, and offered fine, idiomatic writing for strings." “A smorgasbord of styles and anxious riffs pervades King's "Ethos (topology of freedom)," which embraces rock, jazz, blues and minimalism. Each of the quartet players goes improvisationally crazy, three percussionists keep the beat, piano provides piquant punctuation and bombastic explosions lead to an ethereal ending.” “They concluded with ‘Spiritual,' a foray into Indian music, and ‘Shuffle,' another John King composition which proves that the authenticity of the Delta blues can be equally as valid on a traditional instrument as it is on slide guitar. Unencumbered by convention, genre or style, these four musicians have a key asset: soul. Long may they explore new possibilities in string quartet performance." "Soulful and clever, these songs offer a bright
vision for electric music that doesn't need any sugar in its belly to keep
the energy going. And, god forbid. it's fun!" "Full of improvisations, obeisances to bop and
blues and irresistible rhythmic bounce. Its level of energy sweeps everything
before it." "The music has a commanding sonorousness, at
times seeming to cast a flamenco glance over its jazzy rhythms." "Dazzling!" "King starts out with strong rhythmic funk
riffs, and in his solos was always the spirit of Jimi Hendrix, including
playing guitar with his teeth." "John King works with sonically strong
material, which is linked to the identity of the guitar. We were pleased and
happy to have an affair with this 'guitar hero". |
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