Rio Duende @ the Blackbird Buvette - 3/27/09

Just when I was ready to toss the first shovelful of dirt onto the caskets of Jazz and Surf, here comes composer/guitarista, Geoffrey Escandon (g f x) and company* of Rio Duende with an unwavering faith in the mystery and power of the monstrous Jazz groove and towering tsunamis of Surf to kick-start them back to life. Right on. Viva Rio Duende!

*Gary Parra on drums, David Debonis on bass, and another guitarist (whose name I don’t know).

Photo Slideshow here



















Never being a big fan of Jazz or Surf, I couldn't tell you the names of the songs but Geoff was kind enough to send me his set list. Of note: "Blue Monk" was an amazing medly of a Miles Davis song and Thelonious Monk tune that flowed together beautifully. A big fan of Latin music however, I was enamored with this Puerto Rican beauty, "Aqui Como Alla" that was new to me:

SET A
1. All Blues
2. Lenny
3. Blue Monk
4. Waves of Words
5. Aqui Como Alla
6. Blessed Relief
7. Red Clay
8. My Guitar

SET B
1. Verona
2. And I Love Her
3. Fuji
4. Bemsha Swing
5. Drume Negrita
6. Well You Neednt
7. My Favorite Things

O wow! These guys are damn good and extremely talented. Caught them at Burts awhile back and their drummer blew my mind. Definitely need to see them again.

Caught the start of their set on Friday. Mastörs and defendörs of the surprise-chord-changing instrumental. I didn't hear enough surf (next time), but they did break out a satanic bossa-nova before i had to go.

it is true : if your tone is pretty, you can sneak in alot of deviant chords and scales anyplace anytime :-)

chris livingston is the other guitar player.

Thanks for enjoying the sounds!

can you believe that night we got a request for sweet home alabama!

quote:

Originally posted by g f x:
can you believe that night we got a request for sweet home alabama!

I bet it came from that older hippy couple who were setting next to us. That lady couldn't stop dancing in her chair all night.

And I KNEW there'd be a Zot (David) somewhere within that quartet -- I just didn't know which one. It was good to see him again.

Really great show g f x, thank you. But be afraid...I think my sister has a crush on you.

quote:

Originally posted by C.C. California:
I bet it came from that older hippy couple who were setting next to us. That lady couldn't stop dancing in her chair all night.

That couple was Chris Livingston's parents! They were very happy to see their boy do well :-)

After Raven split to his gig the Agency ( also a good show, even if it *DID* become heavy with industrial beats!), a trio of cowboys took the front table. They made the request for sweet home alabama, and a few other Texan Tangos that we might be able work up in the future.

It was nice to meet your sister too! I am spoken for, but the remaining duendes are single, and at least one of them thought your sister was a cutie!