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Double Basse: This Is Not Art
ByAs a consequence of the heavy emphasis on the bottom end, the resonance and overtones from the medieval performance space must have been a particularly compelling experience in concert, but that doesn't necessarily translate to disc. On contrabass clarinet, Petit grumbles, chunters, drones, and expounds long tones, enlivened by occasional multiphonics, and vocalized cries. On bass Duboc is given to sudden outbreaks of animated sawing, but also employs his voice to intone, shout, and exclaim on "Craftsmen I," as if acknowledging that the narrow soundworld might welcome increased variation. Some of the odd indeterminate sounds most likely also originate with the bassist.
While such a focused recital must require great concentration to play, it also requires great effort to listen to. Rather than continuous narrative, the two principals proceed in unexpected bursts between quieter episodes, as if taking stock of where to go next. "Craftsmen I" starts gently, but gradually swells with judicious use of harmonics from both men. In its ponderous movement it evokes images of two behemoths roaming the plains. Keypads patter and lips pucker to begin "Craftsmen II" which moves forward in a sequence of furtive noises and edgy more broken sounds. Matters heat up towards the end but they are at their most engaging when involved in faster paced conversational dialogue, as towards end of "Craftsmen I" and the middle of "Craftsmen II," which makes for simultaneous tension and release.
Track Listing
Craftsmen I; Craftsmen II.
Personnel
Benjamin Duboc
bass, acousticBenjamin Duboc: double bass; Jean-Luc Petit: contrabass clarinet.
Album information
Title: This Is Not Art | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: Clean Feed Records
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About Benjamin Duboc
Instrument: Bass, acoustic
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