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Fast ’N’BulbousWaxed OopCUNEIFORM RECORDSRUNE 227AAAWhen is a tributeband not a tributeband? GuitaristGary Lucas andMicroscopic Sextet alto saxophonist PhillipJohnston adapt the music of Captain Beefheart(with original material) for their second outingas Fast ’N’ Bulbous. The octet’s Waxed Ooprecalls both Beefheart’s torrid tales and a looseknitopen mic night. Though Lucas is a formerMagic Band member, his take on the old curmudgeon’sbludgeoning sounds doesn’t stick toformula. In fact, if no one told you Fast ’N’Bulbous was performing Beefheart repertoire,you might never guess.Sure, Fast ’N’ Bulbous emit the bluesyscronch (“Dropout Boogie”) and animalisticrhythms (“Smithsonian Institute Blues”) of suchBeefheart classics as Trout Mask Replica or SafeJorma KaukonenRiver Of TimeRED HOUSE 217AAAGuitarist Jorma Kaukonensoared into the Rock andRoll Hall of Fame on hiselectrifying work withJefferson Airplane, but hisbackground and futurebelong to acoustic folkblues. Much of his post-psychedelic phase hasflown under the radar as he’s run an innovativeguitar camp in southeastern Ohio, only occasionallyreleasing finely crafted recordings.River Of Time was recorded at Levon Helm’sstudio in Woodstock, N.Y., and is in some waysa less ragged and raucous folk blues companionvolume to drummer Helm’s Dirt Farmer masterpiece.As such, it’s a satisfying showcase ofcasual instrumental virtuosity featuring an abundanceof finger-picking finesse in the service ofsongs addressing the human experience withhard-won wisdom.Kaukonen contributes a half dozen originalsso true to tradition and solidly rooted in classicfolk blues sensibilities that they segue seamlesslywith material by Mississippi John Hurt andRev. Gary Davis, the latter remaining the majorinfluence on Kaukonen’s playing and approach.Kaukonen also appropriates other material fromdiverse sources ranging from Merle Haggard,via a tasty take on “More Than My Old Guitar”with Helm guesting on drums, to Ron “Pig Pen”McKernan through his early Grateful Dead standard“Operator.”Through the years, Kaukonen has evolvedAs Milk; they also blow smoke up their assin aimless improvisations and meanderingsolos (“You Know You’re A Man”).“Well” is a lovely respite, Lucas issuingarcing, surreal guitar delays over alto andbaritone swells as drummer RichardDworkin rumbles mallets below.The four-piece horn section adds a freshdimension to Beefheart’s material, as doesRobyn Hitchcock’s clever impersonationon “China Pig.” Extra kudos to Lucas for a stunningsolo version of “Sure ’Nuff ’N’ Yes I Do,”which lends the album breadth. Ultimately, Fast’N’ Bulbous fails to find that Captain Beefheartmagic, but in revisiting his aroma they createsomething worth pursuing—next time.—Ken MicallefWaxed Oop: Sure ’Nuff ’N’ Yes I Do; Trust Us; Smithsonian InstituteBlues; Dropout Boogie; You Know You]re A Man; Well; Ice Rose;Click Clack/Ice Cream For Crow; Woe-Is-Uh-Me-Bop; The Blimp;The Past Sure Is Tense; Blabber ’N’ Smoke; China Pig. (52:32)Personnel: Gary Lucas, guitar; Jesse Krakow, bass; RichardDworkin, drums; Rob Henke, trumpet; Phillip Johnston, altosaxophone; Joe Fiedler, trombone; Dave Sewelson, baritonesaxophone.Ordering info: cuneiformrecords.com»and personalized histake on Davis, representedhere with anupbeat rendition of“There’s A Bright SideSomewhere.” The guitaristnow plays withmore a satisfied mindthan a questing spirit,and his attitude infusesthe proceedings with awarm and relaxedambiance. His precise but inspired playing isnothing less than masterful, and his deft guitarlines are artfully enhanced and embellished bymandolinist Barry Mitterhoff and multi-instrumentalistLarry Campbell. A couple of instrumentals,including a trio lullaby to his daughter,serve to further spotlight the excellent ensembleinteraction.Kaukonen’s vocals are straightforward andeffective, never attempting more than they canachieve and communicating the essence of thesong without distraction or adornment. They’rea perfect accompaniment to the succinct songsand the enlightened instrumental expertise thatpowers them.—Michael PointJim Beard withVince Mendoza & TheMetropole OrchestraRevolutionsSUNNYSIDE 1227AA 1 /2There is no doubt that on Revolutions, veterankeyboardist Jim Beard has surrounded himselfwith a well-rounded ensemble of talentedplayers.Beard may be best known for his workaccompanying the late Michael Brecker, butBeard and conductor Vince Mendoza are equallysimpatico associates whose careers have intersectedfor two decades. Choosing some tunesfrom Beard’s early albums as well as collaboratingon new works, Beard and Mendoza came upwith this decorative music project in 2005 for aDutch radio broadcast, and then recorded againat a larger session in 2007. Beard’s compositionsare well realized by Mendoza’s ambitiousarrangements, and the flexible MetropoleOrchestra from the Netherlands does a fine jobgiving Beard and Mendoza what they want.Some noteworthy soloists make impressivecontributions, including saxophonist BobMalach, trumpeter Rudd Breus, guitarist JonHerington and saxophonist Bill Evans. Beard’sorchestral music is sometimes too busy and notalways swinging, but taken in a larger contexthis compositions accurately express his musicalintents, interests and talents. Mixing oldfashionedfilm music esthetics with ambitiousbig band jazz, Beard’s music is most successfulon the kinder, gentler arrangements. “In AllHer Finery” is almost ornate in its orchestraldelicacy, while “Crossing Troll Bridge” has asubtle, knowing ambiance in the style of GilEvans’ work with Miles Davis on Sketches OfSpain. Occasionally bland but always well constructed,Revolutions is thoroughly modernmusic for a very large ensemble—the rest is amatter of taste.—Mitch MyersRiver Of Time: Been So Long; There’s A Bright SideSomewhere; Cracks In The Finish; Another Man Done A Full GoRound; Trouble In Mind; Izze’s Lullaby; More Than My OldGuitar; Nashville Blues; A Walk With Friends; Operator; Preachin’On The Old Camp Ground; River Of Time; Simpler Than IThought. (49:20).Personnel: Jorma Kaukonen, guitar, vocals; Lincoln Schleifer,bass, baritone guitar, percussion; Larry Campbell, mandolin, cittern,guitar, baritone guitar, percussion, dobro, fiddles, pedal steel;Barry Mitterhoff, mandolin, banjo; Teresa Williams, vocals (7, 8,11); Myron Hart, bass (8), vocals (11); Levon Helm, drums (3, 5,7); Justin Guip, drums (8, 10).» Ordering info: redhouserecords.com» Ordering info: sunnysiderecords.comRevolutions: Holiday For Pete & Gladys; Hope; Diana; Lost AtThe Carnival; Holodeck Waltz; Princess; In All Her Finery; ParsleyTrees; Trip; Crossing Troll Bridge. (63:32)Personnel: Jim Beard, piano, synthesizer; Bob Malach, tenorsaxophone; Ruud Breuls, trumpet; Jon Herington, guitar; Paulvan der Feen, soprano saxophone; Bar van Lier, trombone; BillEvans, soprano saxophone; Leo Janssen, tenor saxophone;Marcio Doctor, Latin and ethnic percussion; the MetropoleOrchestra; Vince Mendoza, conductor.60 DOWNBEAT August 2009