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The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis Electrify the Bowery Ballroom
ByThe group performed the entire album, albeit not in its original sequence. They opened with a scorching rendition of "Convergence," a high-octane hard rock instrumental infused with elements of free jazz. Other highlights include, "Fourth Wall" which is based around a simple 80s-informed riff with the band totally locked in. "The Time is the Place" has a great groove with JBL playing the melody which transitions into a bit of an avant-skronk guitar freakout before returning to the slower paced groove and melodic theme. "Railroad Tracks Home" is close to a straight blues. The 100-minute set also included a searing performance of "Fear Not" which appears on JBL's album Eye of I (2023), a track which features the Messthetics. JBL is a phenomenal soloist, and he unleashed a barrage of electrifying solos throughout the performance. He would sometimes tradeoff with Pirog an excellent soloist in his own right. Pirog is a sonic explorer well versed in jazz and rock. Regardless of how far he ventured in his solos, they were consistently in service of the song. The songs were never merely a vehicle for the soloists. All the songs are credited to the four band members. Lally and Canty form an excellent "rhythm section." I was captivated by Lally's distinctive bass playing, often highlighted by his adept use of a pick. He can lock in a solid groove on the bass and also play lead guitar-style riffs. The four of them play with remarkable synergy. It was truly an exhilarating experience.
Wendy Eisenberg, a singer-songwriter and distinctive guitarist, opened the show with a solo set. Following her performance, songwriter and guitarist Steve Gunn took the stage. He accompanied himself on an acoustic guitar connected to various pedals, producing a wide array of electric sounds. Gunn masterfully switched between clean acoustic tones and distorted electric effects, utilizing these contrasts to great effect. A standout moment of his set was a captivating cover of the Velvet Underground's "Venus in Furs."
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About James Brandon Lewis
Instrument: Saxophone, tenor
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In Pictures
James Brandon Lewis
Dave Kaufman
United States
New York
New York City
Messthetics
Bowery Ballroom
Anthony Pirog
Joe Lally
Brendan Canty
Marc Ribot
Ceramic Dog
Wendy Eisenberg
Steve Gunn
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