Monday, July 20, 2009

Pierre Bastien - Eggs Air Sister Steel (In-Poly-Sons, 1996)



Here in one fell swoop, Pierre Bastien pays tribute to Charles Ray, Thelonius Monk, and Brian Eno. While I think there is a misconception as to what extent his Mechanium orchestra are involved in his works, there is no denying that Bastien's ear for song is unlike any other. In keeping with the title's plan on Raymond Queneau's Exercises in Style, Bastien offers thirteen variations on a basic theme with aid from the Mechanium and several musicians on piano, accordion, strings, and percussion. Where the mechanized instruments are what people hone in on with Bastien, his knack for pairing eastern and western instruments into imaginative song forms is certainly worth equal attention.

Eggs Air Sister Steel

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