Re: Live sequencing.

["Alan Imberg" <alan_i@sprynet.com>]

I caught the Gasparyan/Brook show this past Monday in San Francisco. My
sentiments are similar: Too much tech., not enough Gasparyan. I did enjoy
Michael Brook's playing but it seemed, at times, that Gasparyan seemed
awkwardly uncomfortable. Michael Brook did say that it was only the 2nd 
time
they ever performed together live so that may have something to do with it.
Some of the "loopage" I liked but there was a definite lack of spontaneity
which seems to be an inevitable trade off when using sequenced material.
Despite the shortcomings, however, I did leave with a favorable opinion of
the show.

Personally, I'm still compiling some "pre-fab" recording for my solo
performance set but I'm certainly trying to keep the emphasis on real-time
looping and improvisation. As has been stated on the list in the past, 
there
is a fine line where pre-recorded material becomes a detriment and not a
benefit. I feel that, at times, Michael Brook and Djivan Gasparyan may have
crossed that line a few times at their SF performance.



> An informal poll:
>
> When doing your live looping gigs, i'm curious how much everyone is using
> canned sequenced materials?
>
> Reason i ask?  Just saw Michael Brook/Djivan Gasparyan at the
> newly-remodeled Gothic Theater in Denver.  I went to see the famed duduk
> player, not really to catch Brook, and while i REALLY enjoyed the duduk,
the
> presentation left something to be desired...  I felt that there was alot
of
> rough edges, mostly due to trying to integrate technology into the gig,
and
> the fact that Brook is NOT the 'virtuoso guitarist' that the CD liner
notes
> to 'Black Rock' make him out to be...  Most of the sequenced stuff was
> really just loops, but the lengths of the sections were definitely
> programmed and just when they finally started to hit a groove, they moved
> on...  I don't know, in this case, they just relied TOO much on 
>technology
> in my opinion, and there wasn't enough PLAYING...  (off my soapbox..)  
>Buy
> the record (which i like) and save the $$, unless you wish to see the
> legendary Gasparyan (you won't be disappointed in him).
>
> So, again, i wonder aloud, how many of you use sequencing in your gigs,
and
> perhaps any tips that you've found to more successfully integrate it into
> your show so that its seamless (no 3 minute breaks to load up software
> etc..) and leaves room for improvisation (section lengths are not fixed
time
> frames).
>
> Thanks,
> Jim Lanpheer.
>