Mark Dresser Quintet 12/13/13 Firehouse 12

Expert bass player Dresser played with piano, drums, trombone, and the versatile Rudresh Mahanthappa on sax. On the way in, I overheard Mario Pavone lauding Dresser's first set, "I heard Duke and Muhal, thanks for the nourishment." Turns out Dresser's recent release is titled "Nourishment" from which much of the second set was culled. Five players gave a full sound with waves of improv onslaught. Telemojo started with an odd prepared piano intro that grew into a five-man blowout. Dresser talked of a new technology that allows him to play, realtime with players in other parts of the world...like a hi-fi super-skype. He is working at NYU with artists playing in Belfast and Zurich simultaneously. I have been a fan of Dresser's since his Knitting Factory days. Equally adept at plucking or bowing, Mark Dresser is a restless improviser.

Grandchildren w/ Snake Oil 12/4/13 Bar

   Regional opener Snake Oil was billed as an instrumental rock band influenced by Can, Lungfish, and Fela...count me in. Muscular drums and bass were the perfect backdrop for shapeshifting guitarist and organ/keys. Classically trained asian woman played moog and korg that gave the feel of 70s instrumental work like Soft Machine or Planet Gong. Trippy guitar workouts enhanced by moog atmospherics were nice. This band reminded me of the 90s No Wave band Pell Mell.

  Grandchildren from Philly were a rock sextet with a multi-instrumental flair. Acoustic guitar/lead vocals, melodica/drums/trombone, bass/percussion, keys/laptop/trumpet, drums/synthdrums, and guitar gave a loud percussive sound. Song structure that ebbed and swelled was great. This band reminded me of Blitzen Trapper or another Philly product Dr. Dog. Good live show, lots going on.