Billy Bang / Dennis Charles -Bangception (1983)

This is a rather unusual album, being a live performance of violin and drum kit duets and solos recorded  thirty years ago this month.

There are no liner notes on Hat records, and the front cover is always the same as the back.

Drummer Dennis Charles has a unique style- Almost melodic-(Check out the solo rendition of Monk's "Thelonious" for a good example of melody virtually without pitch) He was also thoughtful and deliberate, and could be incredibly resourceful; wringing from a very small  kit every last possible timbral subtlety, striking and stroking - searching the skins and rims for every little nuance in resonance and response- Charles uses his sticks on the drums the way a doctor uses a stethoscope on a patient.
He is also an excellent time-keeper who responds with little flurries, rolls and punches without ever overplaying or obscuring the  playing of his fellow sidemen.
Mind you-we are talking here about Billy Bang- who plays with an energy and ferocity not often heard from a violinist.
Bang (who passed away last year unexpectedly) spent part of his early adulthood in Vietnam during the war (releasing two musical memoirs- "Vietnam- The Aftermath" in 2001 and "Vietnam- Reflections" in 2004) and it seems apparent that the indigenous string music there had an influence on his melodic phrasing and intonation (or just plain got under his skin).
 In concert (as on this record) Bang could get extremely worked up in his playing - tearing into a phrase or a melody or an entire piece with great fire and intensity. His bow probably needed constant re-stringing, as he would simply play it to death.
When I saw him (the night he signed this cover for me)in solo performance he was constantly having to tear away the torn hairs from his steadily shrinking bow.
Check out "Know Your Enemy" to hear what I mean.

Billy Bang / Dennis Charles - Bangception

Side One: 

a1- Air Traffic Control (B.Bang, D.Charles)

a2- Lonely Woman (O.Coleman)

 
Side Two:

b1- Thelonious (T.Monk)

b2- Closer To The Flower (B.Bang)

b3- Know Your Enemy (B. Al Rahman)


 






















Billy Bang-Violin
Dennis Charles-Drums

Recorded live August 29 Jazzfestival Willisau '82.


Please note that there is noise from wear on this vinyl rip.

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