One of the downsides of being a solo bassist is that sometimes, after a show, a guitarist will come up to me and tell me about how we really should play together. This wouldn't be so bad, except that what they almost always mean is that they would love to play OVER me.
No offense guitarists, but as a class, you are not the best listeners in the world, and your idea of a good bassist is very similar to what the average American man thought constituted a good wife in the 50s. So when this happens, I'm usually not very interested, and I try to politely decline. That said, sometimes this defensive inclination has its limits. When I met Arno, he very eagerly talked to me about his music, and how similar our styles were, and how we should play together. I thanked him for the offer, but told him I didn't have the time. Fortunately, Arno persisted, and after a few invitations, I did accept and play with him and his bandmate, Thomas. And I'm so glad I did. Playing with Arno was totally unlike playing with most guitarists. I was pleased to discover how highly he values listening and true improvisation, by which I mean improvisation of musical forms, rather than pre-established rhythms over which one member "shreds". Arno surprised me with his musical ideas, but also with his ability to co-create alongside partners. We all hold it down, we all soar. We all listen and adjust ourselves to the others. Arno's humble and patient approach soon led me to want to join him and Thomas in the band now known as Rhonya. Or first album, Motylanoga!, came out in 2011, and our second one is due out later in 2012. Thank you Arno for teaching me there my prejudices can (sometimes) be mistaken.
credits
from For Only You and Everyone (1st season),
track released July 29, 2012
Side B:
9. Long Withdrawing Roar - Romance Of Young Tigers, "I Have Supped Full On Horrors" (2008)
10. Vasilia - Matthew Collings, (unreleased)
11. Sabbath - MONO remix by Marina Rosenfeld, "New York Soundtracks" (2004)
12. Night Blooms - Danny Paul Grody, "Fountain" (2010)
13. Kremlin Krab - Mike Tamburo, "Beating Of The Rewound Son" (2005)
14. At First, And Then - This Mortal Coil, "Filigree & Shadow" (1986)
15. first attack - Kirtan Choir, "Cemetery Skyline" (forthcoming)
16. 031411 - Dhalgren, "Prime Radiant" (OMO 2012)
OMO is a label focusing on stunning physical media.
Although Mp3s are available here, every release is a
tangible object which we hope will enhance the experience of the music. These albums are meant to live on tape, or vinyl, or book, or pez dispenser, or something we hope will be as aesthetically stimulating as the music it conveys.
Coming soon:
OMO053 - hollowbodies
OMO055 - Big Bill Broonzy...more
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