Duet for Theremin and Lap Steel
Live
By Al Kaufman
The theremin was invented by Russian professor Leon Theremin in 1928. It is played by moving one's hands over the two antennae, controlling amplitude and frequency, so that it does not appear as if the musician is playing the instrument as much as conjuring up evil forces. When first introduced, it was thought that the theremin would revolutionize music, but, with the exception of the occasional Led Zeppelin song (most notably "Whole Lotta Love"), it has mostly been used to make eerie sound effects for B-grade horror movies.
Duet for Theremin and Lap Steel are not going to bring the theremin into the mainstream. In fact, if you like your songs to include such things as melody and chord structure, do not read on. Duet is not for you.
Duet consists of Scott Burland on theremin and Frank Schultz on lap steel. They never play the same piece twice. Instead, they put their instruments through a kaleidoscope of sonic sounds and moods. They produce pieces that easily transition from creepy to melancholy to joyful.
Live consists of two performances. The first piece, "Live at Eyedrum, March 2008," swirls and churns almost rhythmically. It suffers from a bit too much repetition, as if Burland and Schultz were not always sure where the music was going to next take them and occasionally got stuck in a holding pattern, certainly a possibility in improvisational music. But it also pulsates with enough hypnotic beats to change the listener's heart rate.
"Live at Kavarna, Oct. 2008" is even darker than the Eyedrum piece, but is highlighted by Burland's ability to manipulate a sample from a Learn French CD through his theremin. In other performances Burland has used dialogue from David Lynch's Twin Peaks.
To watch Burland and Schultz live is to watch to somber-faced scientists in their laboratory, attempting to discover the essence of music. It is an experiment to behold.
Duet for Theremin and Lap Steel have a CD release party at Criminal Records on Saturday, November 21, 4:30 p.m. Free.
Remember, too, The Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations" was theremin heavy.
Posted by: Jim Simpson | January 07, 2010 at 09:54 PM