Brötzmann/Portal/Bennink in Paris 1977

Continuing with the bass clarinet theme (after the previous posting of Michel Pilz), here are two in one go.

In particular, Michel Portal has made the bass clarinet his primary instrument, but here he picks up the sax and a bandoneon as well. Peter Brötzmann is mostly known for his tenor work, but here he switches to bass clarinet and a bunch of other instruments. And even Han Bennink dabbles on the clarinet in between hammering the kit and the bass drum.

So, all in all, about 40 minutes of anarchical merriment, recorded in a Paris studio in 1977, and broadcast on radio, though details are scanty. The announcer butts in at about the thirty minute mark to tell what's going on, but no titles to the piece.

Brötzmann and Bennink are mates of 40 years standing, but the presence of Portal adds another dimension to this set. I leave it to the listener to figure out who is who, but I find Portal adds a melodic touch to the fierceness of Brötzmann, but Portal can be as screechy as the other guys when the fancy takes him.

Basic info:

BRÖTZMANN / PORTAL / BENNINK
16-Jun 1977
unknown, Paris, France
source/lineage: FM


Peter Brötzmann: bassclarinet, clarinet, tenorsax, altosax, mouthpiece

Michel Portal: bassclarinet, clarinet, altosax, "double clarinet", contrabassclarinet, bandoneon, voice

Han Bennink: small drum set, "soft trumpet", clarinet, viola, xylophone, whistle, piano, various percussion, etc.

1. untitled improvisation 30:09
2. untitled improvisation 10:16 (at start with voice over by radio host)

Another Dime download ...

There'll be more bass clarinetists coming up shortly ...