March 26, 2005

News | Press Release: Chinese Percussion in San Francisco |

The internationally acclaimed master percussionist from China, Wang Wei, will be presenting a concert on April 3rd at 7pm, along with didjeridu player, Stephen Kent, renown tabla player, Jim Santi Owen, African percussionist, Ken Okulolo, and Beijing Opera jinghu player, Edward Young. This performance will feature traditional Chinese percussion pieces from various regional styles such as Beijing Opera, Hunan, Shaanxi, and Zhejiang, as well as, collaborative pieces with instruments from India, Africa, and aboriginal Australia. They will present their unique percussive traditions and combine forces to create a unique blend of Chinese, African, Indian, and other world influences.

SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2005; 7PM
ODC THEATER
3153-17th Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

March 12, 2005

Randy Raine-Reusch | Bamboo, Silk and Stone |Za Discs |

Buy It
The latest release by multi-instrumentalist Randy Raine-Reusch is a collection of plucked-string pieces performed in the early 90s. In solo and group settings, he plays six different types of Asian zither, often in tunings and preparations of his own device. It is fitting that the title of the disc, Bamboo, Silk and Stone, draws attention to the materials of which his instruments are made, because the tracks on this disc are, in effect, compositions about composition. Raine-Reusch eschews melody in favor of tonality. His genius is an ability to focus the listener’s attention onto microscopic strata of timbre: the scratch of a plectrum on gut string, the resonance of wood, the moan and whistle of harmonics that usually remain hidden behind fundamental tones.

March 09, 2005

Various | Streets of Lhasa |Sublime Frequencies | Tibet

This is a simple CD of street recordings made in Tibet. It reminds me of what a great idea recording originally was--you put a microphone somewhere and later it sounds like you’re back in that place. I’d rather drink in these folk songs and ambiences than listen to most of the processed spray cheese that passes for music today.