ALMAGEST!
+
ANDREW LILES
+
UR
20th January 2011
Spazio 211
Torino (Italy)
A rich and variegated night was offered once again at Spazio 211, with performances that ranged from dark ambient to experimental noise, ending then with refined chansons and illustrious yet twisted covers. First on schedule was a trio called UR from Genova, who performed nearly an hour of noisy and coiling up dark ambient. Not relying just on pre-recorded basis, but using both bass and guitar as sound generators through assorted effects and electronic equipment, they gave a better impression than many celebrated stars in the genre, who usually stand behind their silver laptop, pretending to do something. Yet, their sound tended to be a bit too much monolithic, and would probably profit from a more articulated development during the live set. Nonetheless, Ur showed to know what they are doing and their name is probably going to surface again in the future. Stay tuned.
Next was ANDREW LILES, British sound experimenter well-known for his collaboration with Nurse With Wound. Not at all less creative than Steven Stapleton himself, Andrew actually gave proof to be even wilder and crazier in this intriguing solo set, where he unleashed a hell of a demented collage of noises, samples, effects and occasional kraut-tasting guitar riffs, mixing various sources in his control centre. It's fascinating to see him at work on his CD players, mixer and sampler, and it's quite easy to recognize his hand on the latest NWW productions (e.g. "Huffin' Rag Blues" or "The Bacteria Magnet"). When the lament of an ambulance moving through the loudspeakers and the barking of a dog invaded the venue, some in the audience were scared for a moment. It was a precious occasion to appreciate this great and unique sound alchemist and work.
Final act of the night was ALMAGEST!, a joint project of Fabrizio Modonese Palumbo and Ernesto Tomasini, initially born as a duo but now expanded with the assistance of Paul Beauchamp and 3vor. The style of this new-born band ranges from old-fashioned chansons to acid / psychedelic ballads, and profits from an extended use of twisted cover versions, of both famous hits and traditionals. While the other three members are busy with piano, electronics, electric viola and guitar, the scene is ruled by the histrionic and magnetic figure of Ernesto Tomasini, with his powerful stage presence and astonishing vocals, able to shift from falsetto to opera tones to cavernous ones within few seconds. Almagest!'s repertoire offered a bunch of singular originals, such as "Trattato Sulla Natura Delle Stelle Per Voce e Harmonium", as well as intriguing versions of Judas Priest's "Breaking The Law", Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit", and few others. The first live impression of this new project was very positive, now let's wait for its further development in the studio.
- Simon V.
Related articles:
22 / 23 Sep 2009: CURRENT 93 + NURSE WITH WOUND + BLIND CAVE SALAMANDER + LARSEN & Z'EV @ Teatro Alfieri, Torino, Italy
26 Apr 2007: AKRON / FAMILY + ( r ) @ Spazio 211, Torino, Italy
15 Sep 2006: LARSEN & FRIENDS present "ABECEDA" @ Teatro Colosseo, Torino, Italy
