Crypto Musings

Kibbles 'n Bits

Culver City isn't exactly a destination city for the world's culinary elite, but they make excellent popcorn shrimp at Golden China restaurant on Venice and Robertson, and that's what's in my belly right now. Highly recommended.

In far more relevant news:

1) Alan Pasqua scored a jazz pick of the week in the LA Weekly. Writer Greg Burk is officially Crypto's shining white knight.

Alan Pasqua quietly does everything. After studying with Jaki Byard and George Russell, as a young snip he landed the keyboard chair with Tony Williams’ raging Lifetime, and subsequently worked with a full spectrum of rock monsters from Bob Dylan to Sammy Hagar, fusionistos from Stanley Clarke to Larry Carlton, and soundtrackers from John Williams to Quincy Jones. He even wrote the CBS Evening News theme. Close to Pasqua’s heart, though, has always been the old-fashioned notion of a thoughtful guy at an acoustic piano, the latest realization of which is My New Old Friend (Cryptogramophone), where he spreads his cloudlike touch over standards (a deconstructed "All the Things You Are") and sunset-tinted originals ("Highway 14"). The fragile intuition of drummer Peter Erskine and the simpatico resiliency of bassist Darek Oles support him both on record and onstage.

2) All About Jazz has published not one, not two, not four, but THREE reviews on My New Old Friend. Check 'em all out right here:

3) Pasqua's new disc My New Old Friend is killing on the radio. It debuted at #1 on the JazzWeek charts, the highest debut of that week, and last week it was the #1 in increased airplay, with 49 more spins than the previous week. Meanwhile, The Giant Pin is still in the top 10 jazz records at WUOG, a full half year after our radio campaign began. The album's great and all, but now I'm wondering if WUOG even has any other jazz records.

4) Lucky, lucky Canada: The Nels Cline Singers are playing two live dates soon, May 19th and 20th, in Victoriaville and Toronto, respectively. These are the only dates that the Singers are playing for a loooooong time. For more info visit Nels' website.

Nels Triumphant; Pasqua Joins Mile-high Club

I just returned from my weekend at Coachella, where in addition to incinerating at least one layer of skin under the hot desert sun, I witnessed Nels Cline playing the kind of show with Wilco that explains all the accolades he's been receiving. Kelefa Sanneh of the New York Times had this to say about the performance:

"... on Saturday night, Wilco serenaded the sunset instead of fighting it. The band recently added the brilliant and unpredictable guitarist Nels Cline, who helps the songs expand and contract, crack and fizz; Wilco is a classic rock band in the best and weirdest sense."

No doubt the show will win the Nels Cline Singers some converts. And speaking of the Singers, One Final Note recently published a review of their live double-header in February. You can read the whole review here, but here's a choice quote that summarizes its point:

"Nels Cline has evolved the guitar to a level words can barely describe. If there is justice in this musical Universe, his place in the celestial choir of guitar gods will be assured."

Starting this summer, you'll be able to hear the airy melody of Alan Pasqua's "Highway 14" every time you fly Delta Airlines. Legendary radio personality Tom Schnabel personally selected the track to be on one of those radio channels that Delta makes you pay $5 for the privilege of listening to. Purchase My New Old Friend here if you want to hear the track without aiport security staff infringing on your civil liberties.

In other flighty Pasqua news, My New Old Friend hit the airwaves not long ago. Its already getting plays at radioiojazz.com (broadcast out of Wilkesboro, NC) and WPFW in Washington, DC. Meanwhile The Giant Pin is still on the top 10 jazz playlists at KGNU, WUOG and KEUL (in Boulder, CO, Athens, GA and Girdwood, AK respectively), a full six months after its release.