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Live Reviews
Brain Darts: The Benvento/Russo Duo Meets Wayne Krantz
“Wayne seemed to take Joe and I into another realm of music. We both sort of looked at each other like 'do you feel that?’ Because of his positivity, warmth and skills with a couple of heavily involved charts, he made us feel like we had a third member as opposed to a special guest ‘sitting in’. There was a heavy ethereal vibe that Wayne really brought out in us.”
Selections taken from the annals of Skynyrd riffing and Steely Dan changing wove through jazz passages as Krantz and Russo linked in rhythmic essence to support Marco as he stoked the B-3 flame to enter into Abduction Pose which featured an appearance by yet another special guest, altoist Cheme Gastuema whose smooth edges and vibrant tones added yet another sensation. A punk rock assault ensued during Darts leading the way toward and obvious yet unexpected Smells Like Teen Spirit. Not only did Marco and Joe get Wayne Krantz down to play but they him down to play Cobain.
As they came together for one monumental evening of extra-terrestrial expressionism they will now return to their respective homes and continue their work. Hopefully soon they will once again unite if the sands of time permit. After the Duo finishes up their mini-tour this Friday with Skerik in NYC, they will turn their focus on their newest material and setting plans to record in the near future. In March they are making their debut at Austin’s legendary showcase, the South by Southwest Festival where I’m sure they will need to call in some bulldozers to haul off all that rock that will be dropped during their set.
“The monster that we've created is really starting to take some gigantic steps in regard to originality and diversity with the ever-growing interpretation of the tunes we always play and the constant morphing of those into new ones. Both Joe and I feel especially connected to our new compositions and are looking forward to their growth and looking forward to the new record! Ya' know I'm the freakin' optimist but if you ask Joe I'm sure he's got something else to say, that cynic.”
As for Wayne Krantz, he is always working with new projects. He debuted his latest incarnation of standard assassination featuring Birth/Actual Proof/Dub Trio drummer Joe Tomino and bassist Paul Sacalow the night before the Duo gig, taking time to step back and highlight the rhythm section and engaged the audience with some of his more beautiful chordal melodies. He continues his Gherig-esque Thursday night residency at the 55-Bar and plans record and tour once these new projects feel good.
Stay open. Check the Duo at www.organanddrums.com and Wayne Krantz at www.waynekrantz.com to find it all out.
