Oliver Dover (alto, tenor & baritone saxophones,
bass clarinet, trumpophone, vocals), Craig Scott (guitar), Johnny Richards
(keyboards, organ & prepared piano), Michael Bardon (electric bass), Andrew
Lisle (drums & percussion) & Joost Hendrickx (drums, samples,
percussion, live electronics)
(Review by Russell)
Shansa Barsnaan: a four year old child’s honest attempt to
pronounce the band’s name? A band member’s attempt to pronounce the band’s name
having had a particularly good session down the pub? The Self Titled Album cannot
be other than an in-joke, arising out of who knows where or what? Shatner’s
Bassoon, for all the hip tomfoolery, is one hell of a band. Their new CD – The Self Titled Album Shansa Barsnann – will,
likely as not, fail to register with dyed-in-the-wool jazzers. For those
prepared to listen, read on.
Shatner’s Bassoon live is an amazing experience. Their
live visual element complements the brilliance of the musicianship. The album,
recorded at ATA (All Things Analogue) in Leeds, captures and conveys the
visceral energy generated at a gig. The irony isn’t lost in the album’s
incorporation of samples and ‘live electronics’ at a studio called, of all
things …All Things Analogue. Thirteen tracks composed by the band, or
individual members of it, the titles amuse/bemuse in equal measure: Bruce Lawn and Fringe in My Eyes, Thighs in Disguise are two such examples. Press
release linear [sic] notes add to the mirth: Mitch Fargone’s Walk to School - The most perfectly distilled musical
statement ever committed to tape. The track is ‘distilled’ to seven seconds
in length! Inspector Fargone - Stake out
at the docks, has far gone too far this time? Funny, ha ha!
The linear development of the compositions is
something to behold. John Zorn jump cut, Zappa irreverence, the sextet’s
collective precision is nothing short of magnificent. Leeds – based Chris
Sharkey rehearsed to the nth degree with Trio VD band mates to pull off an
impressive live show and Shatner’s Bassoon are following in their wake. The
penultimate track – Boghead (Wasp Speed) –
on the soon-to-be-released Shansa
Barsnann CD places the band on the ‘must see’ list. Tour dates will be
announced in due course. The band will be on home turf at Wharf Chambers, Leeds
on Tuesday 22 September. Shansa Barsnann will
be released the following day. A catalogue number has yet to be issued.
Q: Why do you want to climb Mt Everest?
A: Because it is there.
Q: Why do Shatner’s Bassoon play as they do?
A: Because they can.
Russell.
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