Attn JMS: Comments on KODO
Cassius81
Christmas list (yes, I know it's passe, and yes, I still believe in Santa) and,
lo and behold, got it in my stocking.
What are my thoughts?
I think it's f*cking awesome, and I don't attach that label to many things. In
fact, my fingertips are now bruised from drumming along with the CD too much.
Track 5 in particular ("O-Daiko") is mind blowing.
Still, KODO doesn't come anywhere near beating out the Akira soundtrack as my
favorite CD of all time. It's ridiculous that there aren't any other releases
by the Geinoh Yamashirogumi here in the states. It's not fair, I tell you...
Hm. I just realized that half the stuff I've been involved with lately involves
Japan in some way... the Akira soundtrack, KODO, my viewing of three Godzilla
movies on Sunday, and the last few tapes of Neon Genesis Evangelion (dear God,
I love that show...). But I digress.
In any case, I loved the KODO CD. Just thought you'd like to know.
Cassius' Quote of the Day:
Asuka Langley Sohryu: "I should *never* kiss to kill time!"
Jms at B5
>my
>Christmas list
>What are my thoughts?
>
>I think it's f*cking awesome, and I don't attach that label to many things.
>In
>fact, my fingertips are now bruised from drumming along with the CD too much.
>Track 5 in particular ("O-Daiko") is mind blowing.
>
Here's what you have to know about that cut. Go look at the back cover. See
that massive drum off to the left, the one twice as big as a person? Now look
at the front cover. See the guys standing there with the sticks in front of a
smaller version of that drum? Those sticks weigh something like 5-10 pounds
each. They hold those sticks high above their heads to reach the drum, one in
particular who keeps the main beat going, and they keep doing that for the full
length of that track, which is an astonishing accomplishment. You think he's
going to fall over after a while.
When I heard that, and saw the video, my first thought was, "Ah, well, there's
someone else who knows what it felt like to make B5."
jms
(jms...@aol.com)
B5 Official Fan Club at:
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Cassius81
>>Track 5 in particular ("O-Daiko") is mind blowing.
>>
>
>Here's what you have to know about that cut. Go look at the back cover. See
>that massive drum off to the left, the one twice as big as a person? Now
>look
>at the front cover. See the guys standing there with the sticks in front of
>a
>smaller version of that drum? Those sticks weigh something like 5-10 pounds
>each. They hold those sticks high above their heads to reach the drum, one
>in
>particular who keeps the main beat going, and they keep doing that for the
>full
>length of that track, which is an astonishing accomplishment. You think he's
>going to fall over after a while.
>
>When I heard that, and saw the video, my first thought was, "Ah, well,
>there's
>someone else who knows what it felt like to make B5."
Still... I'll bet he didn't get followed around for months afterwards by people
asking things like, "Exactly how long are those sticks?" "What are they made
of?" "Did you originally want to use a different kind of stick?" "If you
replaced those sticks with ones made of different materials, would the song
still work?" "How would you feel if other drummers started using sticks similar
to yours?" and so forth. ;)
Cassius' Quote of the Day:
Orson Scott Card:
"This emotion I'm feeling now, this is love, right?"
"I don't know. Is it a longing? Is it a giddy stupid happiness just because
you're with me?"
"Yes."
"That's influenza. Watch for nausea or diarrhea within a few hours."
Yu Kai-lin
jumping up and down inside at the prospect. I've seen them live several
times, and it just gets better and better each time. I'm doing the happy
dance right now, you will just have to trust me on this one.
--
Peace, Love and Rock & Roll,
Kailin
"When hell freezes over, we can all play hockey there."
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Jms at B5
>jumping up and down inside at the prospect. I've seen them live several
>times, and it just gets better and better each time. I'm doing the happy
>dance right now, you will just have to trust me on this one.
Where are they performing?
jms
Cassius81
>jumping up and down inside at the prospect. I've seen them live several
>times, and it just gets better and better each time. I'm doing the happy
>dance right now, you will just have to trust me on this one.
Lucky SOB.
I guess I'll just sit here and run though my Rachmaninoff collection a few more
times....
Cassius' Quote of the Day:
Nate: "I had FOUR of these (points to BIG cup) full of coffee today, and
actually saw and spoke to God... and he likes how the project's going."
Hunyface
that. These students are taken in to live in a Zen temple in Japan and are
taught more than just drumming. They are taught discipline and meditation.
They are like a family in many ways as well. Drumming together in that intense
way could do that to a group.
cindy
Keith Wood
Cassius81 wrote:
> I guess I'll just sit here and run though my Rachmaninoff collection a few more
> times....
Wasn't Mr Rachmaninoff ALF's next-door neighbor?
<ducking>
Roanna
power and
rhythm....
I've love the taeko drums ever since I first heard
them. There
is an elegance combined with elemental rhythm that
just seems to
command body and soul. Now I'm hungry to see them
live as
well...
In the meantime, I'm crankin' up the volume....
shiver...
Roanna
Cassius81
>Wasn't Mr Rachmaninoff ALF's next-door neighbor?
Do not mock Sergei Rachmaninoff, mere mortal.
Cassius' Quote of the Day:
Ivanova: "Good luck, captain. I think you're about to go where *everyone* has
gone before..."
Cassius81
>
>just ordered several of their CDs and am drunk on
>power and
>rhythm....
Ditto here. The first one I got was Live at Acropolis, followed by Sai-so
(which sucked; I do not need DJs messing with my Taike music, thanks). By the
way... is it just me, or do some parts of KODO actually sound like jazz?
Cassius' Quote of the Day:
Delenn: "Abso-fraggin'-lutely, dammit!"
Jms at B5
>live as
>well...
Their Live at the Acropolis CD is also a VHS of their performance...it's to be
commended.
Roanna
Cassius81 wrote:
> By the way... is it just me, or do some parts of KODO actually sound like
> jazz?
>
I certainly thought some of the flute/drum arrangements brought to mind jazz
arrangements I've heard. I'm not up enough on jazz to comment specifically.
Although now that you've mentioned it, I heard a flautist (live, I don't have any
of his CDs) named Nestor Torres that I was reminded of during a couple of the
pieces. (I'm on the road, so I can't look up titles, sorry).
The combination of the "earth" element of the drums and the "air" of the flutes
really made me feel like I was eavesdropping on the "music of the spheres".
My fave is Live at the Acropolis as well. Also got Heartbeat Drummers of Japan,
and Best of Kodo. Both pretty good, but Live was just phenomenal. I also got
Mickey Hart's Planet Drum, which I've wanted for some time.
All in all, it was a very percussive weekend... ;-)
Roanna
Yu Kai-lin
Japanese, for KODO's official website. KODO will be on tour in North
America for about 2 months, here is the itinerary:
January
Date
Theatre
General Information
Jan. 29 (Sat), 30 (Sun)
Cerritos, CA
Cerritos Arts Center
Open: 19:00, Start: 20:00
Call: 562-916-8500
Presenter: Cerritos Arts Center
February
Date
Theatre
General Information
Feb. 2 (Wed)
San Rafael, CA
Marin Center
Open: 19:00, Start: 20:00
Call: 415-472-3500
Presenter: Marin Center
Feb. 4 (Fri), 5 (Sat),
6 (Sun)
Berkeley, CA
Zellerbach Hall
Open: 19:30, Start: 20:00
Call: 510-642-9988
Presenter: University of California
at Berkeley
Feb. 9 (Wed) through
13 (Sun)
Seattle, WA
Meany Hall
Open: 19:00, Start: 20:00 (13th
Open: 13:00, Start: 14:00)
Call: 206-543-4880
Presenter: University of
Washington
Feb. 14 (Mon)
Vancouver, BC
(Canada)
Queen Elizabeth
Theatre
Open: 19:00, Start: 20:00
Call: 604-665-3042
Presenter: Hammond &
Associates
Feb. 18 (Fri), 19
(Sat), 20 (Sun)
Toronto, ONT
(Canada)
Massey Hall
Open: 19:30, Start: 20:00 (20th
Starting time to be announced)
Call: 416-872-4255
Presenter: Hammond &
Associates
Feb. 22 (Tue)
Clinton Twp, MI
Macomb Center
Open: 19:00, Start: 19:30
Call: 810-286-2022
Presenter: Macomb Center for
the Performing Arts
Feb. 24 (Thu)
Indianapolis, IN
Clawes Memorial
Hall
Open: 19:30, Start: 20:00
Call: 317-940-8050
Presenter: Butler University
Feb. 25 (Fri)
West Lafayette, IN
Elliot Hall
Open: 19:30, Start: 20:00
Call: 765-494-3933
Presenter: Purdue Convocations
Feb. 26 (Sat)
Bloomington, IN
Indiana University
Auditorium
Open: 19:30, Start: 20:00
Call: 812-855-1103
Presenter: Indiana University
Series
Feb. 29 (Tue)
Cincinnati, OH
Cincinnati Music
Hall
Open: 19:00, Start: 20:00
Call: 513-721-8222
Presenter: Columbus Association
for the Performing Arts
March
Date
Theatre
General Information
Mar. 2 (Thu)
Toledo, OH
Stranahan Theater
Open: 19:30, Start: 20:00
Call: 419-381-8851
Presenter: Columbus Association
for the Performing Arts
Mar. 3 (Fri)
Akron, OH
EJ Thomas Hall
Open: 19:00, Start: 20:00
Call: 330-972-7570
Presenter: University of Akron
Performing Arts Series
Mar. 4 (Sat)
Columbus, OH
Palace Theater
Open: 19:15, Start: 20:00
Call:614-469-0939
Presenter: Columbus Association
for the Performing Arts
Mar. 5 (Sun)
Athens, OH
Blackburn
Memorial
Auditorium
Open: 18:00, Start: 19:00
Call: 740-593-1780
Presenter: Ohio University
Performing Arts Series
Mar. 8 (Wed)
through 12 (Sun)
Pittsburgh, PA
Byham Theater
Open: 19:00, Start: 20:00
Call: 412-456-6666
Presenter: Pittsburgh Dance
Council