Applied
Ballooning
In the spring of 2004, Addi Somekh made
50 different balloon drums and then invited two of his
favorite drummers to record a set of improvised duets.
The results were more captivating than anyone could have
imagined!
The
Drummers
A
much in-demand session drummer, Los Angeles–based
Danny
Frankel has recorded with the likes
of Fiona Apple, Bebel Gilberto, and Lou Reed and is heard
on G Love and Special Sauce’s forthcoming album.
He is also a regular member of kd lang’s ensemble
as well as the Dakah Hip Hip Orchestra. Danny is particularly
renowned for his bongo playing.
In addition to his recurring road
gigs with Steven Bernstein’s Sex Mob, Bill Frisell,
and John Zorn’s Electric Masada, Kenny
Wollesen has recorded with Norah
Jones and Tom Waits. He also leads his own sextet, The
Wollesens.
A
Meeting of Minds (and Musicians)
Although
Danny and Kenny had known one another for nearly 20 years,
they hadn’t played together before teaming to record
the Balloon Drum Album.
Explains Kenny: “The balloon drums have so many
different types of sounds that we were learning how to
play them as we were recording. So it was a really fun
and challenging musical conversation.”
“Kenny has such great energy,” says Danny.
“We never even talked about what we were going to
play. We just started playing, and it was like ESP.”
Woodrow Jackson recorded the Balloon Drum Album at his
Solidstatesman Studio in the Hollywood Hills. Photographer
Charlie Eckert shot the cover and inside photos at the
recording session.
The 64-minute-long album includes 18 tracks, the last
of which features Addi Somekh on balloon bass and Troy
Zeigler on backup balloon percussion.
MP3's
Click
below to download MP3s from the Balloon Drum Album.
Click
here to see more photos
of the recording session.
The album is available for $10, plus $3 for shipping and
handling in the U.S. and Canada. Click here
to purchase online.
European orders are 7 Euro plus 3 Euro shipping. The cds
are mailed out of Belgium and can be ordered by e-mailing
IBS Balloon Supply at
info@ibs-balloons.com.
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