The past week has found a certain New York-based discussion group debating the merits of a certain hometown jazz/jam/fusion trio- whether they’re best described by the groove, or the pots and pans. And of course, the truth is MMW definitely know how to groove, but they definitely are just as willing to indulge the urge to jingle jangle bells, tap broken glass and blow on the melodica.
When they’re at their best, they’re absolutely transcendent, next level musicians of the highest caliber. Just check out the side of the stage during a MMW festival set, and you’ll see the wings flooded as every performer in ear shot gather for a glimpse of the masters at play.
Back in January of 1999, the trio played a string of five gigs at The Bowery Ballroom, a sort of celebration of the group that also served as a jumping off point for the next era of their history. The shows are marked by a dozen guest appearances and slew of newer songs, along with 20, often stand alone bouts of pure improv, or as Medeski’s been known to call them, spontaneous compositions, known as Bowery Reserve.
This week’s Stormy Monday comes in two doses of the old Bowery Reserve, the first being culled from the first three nights, when the pots and pans aesthetic seemed to dominate. That being said, here are three of the choicest passages, loaded with organ and killer backbeats, and a nice guest spot by trombonist Joshua Roseman. The second comes entirely from January 16, 1999, three big helpings of absolutely prime playing, each of which follows a similar pattern, but with very different results (Oren Bloedow guests on the final funky cut.) As always, enjoy!
10 Responses
I’ve seen them several times, and loved them. However, Spring 2007, I saw them in Princeton, NJ essentially masturbate on stage. It sucked, seriously. I’m all for art, but this was crap. Granted I don’t care for fusion jazz either, but I consider myself pretty open-minded, and just couldn’t swallow that.
Rob – i was at that Princeton show too. I thought it was one of their best. it was part of their april acoustic tour. I think its hard at first for people to understand their “spontaneous compositions” but you have to appreciate them for what they are. MMW have a great sense of when to groove and when to improvise.
nice piece..the author forgets to mention that the whole point of the bowery run was to celebrate Blue Note records birthday, which was the label they were on at the time..
people should seek out the charlie hunter and mark ribot sit ins…UNREAL
great thing about mmw, they have so many hats they can wear…
nice article.
also try to find the Vegoose set, where Maceo Parker plays the whole set with them. Not one pot or pan is hit once…..
If the “certain New York-based discussion group” happens to be the NY Freaks list, then the debate has no merit whatsoever. You can’t expect fans of a weak, repetitive, monotonous rock group to appreciate music that is way over their collective heads. I guess to them anything that doesn’t contain a wank wank guitar solo in 4/4 time isn’t really music. They should stick to debating whether freebird or stairway to heaven is the all time greatest song. That is a lot more up their alley.
Do you guys know about foreplay?
“If the “certain New York-based discussion group” happens to be the NY Freaks list, then the debate has no merit whatsoever. You can’t expect fans of a weak, repetitive, monotonous rock group to appreciate music that is way over their collective heads. I guess to them anything that doesn’t contain a wank wank guitar solo in 4/4 time isn’t really music. They should stick to debating whether freebird or stairway to heaven is the all time greatest song. That is a lot more up their alley.”
OWNED
that wasnt wheelbrite that wrote that….
NYC-Freaks is group united by their own loserdom who have nothing better to do than reminisce about the Wetlands, review street burritos and overpriced burgers (seriously!), and wank it to RANA. James was actually pretty kind in his description of those Panic apologist wooks.
They were much more experimental and noise-based in 2000 than 2007…
You guys ever go to the Wetlands? It was sick. I think we can all agree that the Wetlands was to venues what the Calexico Cart is to burritos.
Has anyone tried 5 Guys in the slope yet? Its on 7th Avenue, just down the street from Tugboat & Metzger’s pad. Those guys play in RANA, the best band ever, in case you didn’t know. Man, I used to love seeing RANA at the Wetlands…. Its like seeing Panic in NOLA on Halloween.
Who’s MWM? Is Joe Russo in that band? Because he’s SICK. He used to play the Wetlands all the time….