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Duet for Theremin and Lap Steel LIVE CD
Side A: Live at eyedrum, March 2008
Side B: Live at Kavarna, Oct. 2008
Produced by Duet for Theremin and Lap Steel
Mastered by Frank Schultz @ FiveFranks Studios
Cover art by Neil Woodall
Special thanks to Jeff Rackley and Jim Combs for live recordings
All performances are improvised
Duet for Theremin and Lap Steel’s latest offering captures two sprawling masses of improvised drones too harmonious to be called avant-garde and too experimental for stuffy modern classical terms. These sounds are the product of two minds sharing a single headspace and letting the music drive – which is typical of the Atlanta duo. From the onset of the 23:56 minute opener “Live at Eyedrum,” the lines are blurred as each instrument’s respective whines and whirs waver in a dream state. The longer 33:18 minute piece, “Live at Kavarna,” embodies everything the subconscious mind finds appealing when deciphering the beauty in whale songs, haunted house sounds and dog whistles. Here, they collide with the cerebellum in a graceful, slow-motion crash. Put it on and drift away. (Self released) 4 out of 5 stars.
-Chad Radford, Creative Loafing Atlanta 17nov2009
The Theremin is one of the most difficult musical instruments to master, because it has no tactile reference points—it has no frets, keys, open strings, or anything to guide the player toward discrete notes. This is not a stumbling block for the Atlanta outfit Duet for Theremin and Lap Steel; it’s actually the basis for the duo’s sound and approach.
The lap steel, used almost exclusively for country music, can actually be a versatile instrument, and it’s a perfect companion to the Theremin, as every note from either instrument glides smoothly and weightlessly, without being anchored to any construction. At times, synthetic drum beats enter the duet’s mix, but I much prefer the rhythm-free style; then, the music is totally unstructured and has nothing to follow, making it some of the most wonderfully abstract music I’ve heard this year.
The duet’s latest CD features two live sets from 2008, with Scott Burland on Theremin and Frank Schultz on lap steel giving completely improvised performances. The recording is pristine, likely taken from the soundboard, and, if it wasn’t for the applause at the end, it could pass for a studio recording. Burland and Schultz both channel their instruments’ sounds through laptop computers for real-time processing, making their notes echo and bubble eerily, with fluctuating timbres.
Valid comparisons can be made to Brian Eno’s ambient music, but the music lies a bit closer to the Kosmische music of certain German bands like Cluster. The duet’s sound is generally easy on the ears, and one strength is being continually stimulating in a subtle, non-jarring way. There are a few conspicuous diversions, such as the aforementioned drum beats and some manipulated French language vocal samples, but mostly, the CD is the sound of two untethered astronauts with a strange and elegant sonic choreography.
-Ernie Paik, Chattanooga Pulse 28oct2009