The Vortex Jazz Club, 11 Gillett Square, London N16 8JH | Bookings 020 7254 4097 | Enquiries 020 7993 3643 | Email Info at Vortex

January 2008
gig reviews

Jim Mullen's Organ Trio with Stan Sulzmann
Renato D'Aiello International Quintet
Trevor Watkis Quartet
Andy Sheppard and the New Quintet
David Torn's Prezens
Bourne, Davis, Kane
Matana Roberts
Eddie Parker's Mister Vertigo
John Taylor Trio
Kit Downes Trio
Phil Robson Quartet featuring Dave Liebman
Will Butterworth Trio
Richard Fairhurst Trio
Julie Sassoon/Lothar Ohlmeier

Gig reviews archive

 2008 gig reviews
 2007 gig reviews
 2006 gig reviews

 


 

January 2008 gig reviews by Chris Parker

David Torn's Prezens

featuring Tim Berne, Craig Taborn & Tom Rainey

Sunday 13 January

'Textural, oceanic soundscapes intercut with throbbing fragments of improv violence and rhythmic adventure, all underpinned by Taborn and Rainey's off-centre groove' ê little more need be added to this perfect description of the two hours of improvised music produced by guitarist David Torn, alto player Tim Berne, keyboardist Craig Taborn and drummer Tom Rainey on the first of their two nights at the club.

Another full house, another completely silent, rapt audience, was mesmerised by the hypnotic power and spontaneous inventiveness on display.

Torn is a master of texture and atmosphere, his alternately strident and swooning guitar playing never quite falling in with even the most insistent of Rainey's beats and drum tattoos, but playing off them, swirling darkly round them or simply hovering broodingly over them.

Berne, too, rings the textural changes magnificently throughout, moving as appropriate from screaming urgency and sustained shrieking high notes to the quietest of whispers and little puffs of noteless sound.

Taborn and Rainey selflessly provide the cement for this wall of textured noise, the former by providing sonic 'filling' interspersed with occasional solo excursions, the latter beating out vigorous rhythms or shuffling, prodding and probing in a more conventional free-jazz manner.

All in all, a viscerally affecting evening's music, no-holds-barred spontaneous interaction at its considerable best.

 

 

Join the Vortex
email list

To receive monthly gig details, news and ticket offers.



RSS feeds

For news, gig and CD reviews and information about the club.

Click on the link below to get the subscribe address
Vortex news

For more informaton about RSS see the
RSS help pages