Former King Crimson violinist David Cross and composer/flautist Andrew Keeling met in London in 2007 to discuss a musical collaboration. The outgrowth of this was a series of improvisations (recorded in Dec. 2007 and Feb. 2008) which form the basis of their forthcoming album, English Sun.
With musical experiences in progressive rock and contemporary classical music, Cross and Keeling’s approach to free improvisation stands outside the jazz tradition. But, just how ‘free’ or formulaic is improvisation? Although improvisers are often reluctant to discuss the process, Cross and Keeling have found that each session brings about a development of language. Playing ‘live’ is likely to further transform their music, making the
audience a crucial factor in this development: ‘…(This) can affect the creation of that which is being witnessed.’ (Derek Bailey – Da Capo Press, 1992)
RECORDING THE PERFORMANCE - Investigating performance and its documentation
David Cross and Andrew Keeling - CLOUD-SURFING - Gig Review: David Cross & Andrew Keeling – 23rd April 2009, London Metropolitan University, London N7.
Thursday evening’s event was a world away from the rock gigs of the David Cross Band and from DC’s King Crimson years, both in terms of style and scale. Here he had teamed up with flautist Andrew Keeling to perform an improvised set that leant much more towards ambient music or soundscapes. Not only did I not know what to expect from the evening but, to some extent, neither did the musicians, who were doing this live for the first time – exciting but a little scary! The venue, a studio at the university where Cross teaches currently, was an appropriately informal setting too. The audience of around 50 seemed to be made up of a mix of fans, ex-students, other musicians and even a former neighbour of DC’s as I later discovered.
Cross and Keeling had given the evening the general heading of Cloud-Surfing and the content turned out to be fascinating and varied, with the two cleverly feeding off each other. While Keeling kept his flute ‘au naturelle’, Cross used a range of effects, including a looping device to occasionally set up repeating riffs for them to play over. He even made wonderful use of a pitch-shifter – something I’ve never seen a violinist do before.
In the middle the event turned into a discussion – a sort of analysis of improvised music – with yours truly leaping in with the first, hopefully incisive, question. In keeping with the unpredictable nature of the evening, Andrew Keeling asked a question of an audience member – although that was a fellow musician, Yumi Hara-Cawkwell. In the drinks interval I managed to grab a few words with DC himself and I have to confess I nerdily asked him to autograph the cover of the ‘Exiles’ CD for me. And, as it was DC’s birthday too, we all got to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to him.
After the break they extended the audience participation into the music. We all selected random phrases from newspaper cuttings, and recited them under the guidance of a conductor from the audience while the Cross and Keeling improvised over us. Innovative and fun. In the final piece we were treated to DC cutting loose with a fuzzed violin solo in the vein of one of those glorious Fripp guitar solo’s of old.
In recent years I’ve been enjoying exploring many of the avenues that lead out from King Crimson. Andrew Keeling was entirely new to me but he is wonderful musician and I was very happy to find here that David Cross is still eagerly exploring new ideas 35 years on from his Crimson days.
Pete (AKA ‘The Skywhales’)
David Cross and Andrew Keeling
Cloud Surfing
London Metropolitan University
23rd April 2009
Being a big fan of the King Crimson 1972 -1974 line up and having enjoyed Andrew Keeling’s Quickening the Dead CD, I was intrigued to see Keeling and David Cross were scheduled to play a show together in London. On a warm Thursday night, I went along to see what they were up to.
Due to the vagaries of British Rail, I missed the first number and eventually took my seat as they set the scene for their second with a Pete Sinfield Haiku. The Sinfield Haiku led to a light and airy duet which was as delicate as the words of the poem.
The next piece used the ambient sound within the room to let the music emerge and build slowly. An ominous violin riff (a distant cousin to the Jaws theme) developed with the flute intertwining and dipping about it. Cross used a looper to keep this riff going whilst he added lines over the top. This third piece had a compelling combination of movement coupled with menace, which left the audience on the edge of their seats when it came to a sudden and controlled stop.
To begin the second half, the audience was used to provide aural texture via muttering, whispers and talking quietly while Keeling played percussion and Cross built up subtle layers of violin. The music built using the audience interjections as leverage points to sustained climbing lines from the violin and some dynamic flute playing. This is the only time I have found somebody next to me talking during a concert actually adding to the music! This was a very effective combination of music and audience participation.
The final piece had a Keeling piano loop as a starting point. I was reminded of some Sartie’s piano music as the flute joined in and Cross’s muted violin gave a mournful air. This developed a serene mood in the room and provided a very peaceful end to the evening.
I really enjoyed this concert. The dynamic duo conjured a surprising range of sounds and moods considering the limited palette at their disposal (flute and electric violin). The use of different stimuli for the starting points kept the music fresh and interesting and none of the pieces over stayed their welcome. If you get a chance to see them, take it! I know I’ll be back……and I’ll be picking up their CD too when it becomes available.
Friday, July 31st. 9:00 PM at VERSAI (18 and over!!!) 351 N. FAIRFAX AVE., Los Angeles, California 90036 (please click on our profile for details)
Special 1 hour and 30 minute set with guest musicians and our new violin player, Paula. Doors open at 7pm. We play at 9pm. This is our last show for a long while because our guitar player Nacho will be leaving the country. Come join us in celebrating his friendship and musicianship!!! Thank you very much! -TGD
Since some people in poor countries cannot read without prescription or reading glasses, for every song of ours you download, you will be supplying a pair of glasses to someone that needs them and will appreciate the gift of sight. Please consider downloading from here, two of our songs, and with your help, we can provide more people with the gift of sight. Thank you.
Since some people in poor countries cannot read without prescription or reading glasses, for every song of ours you download, you will be supplying a pair of glasses to someone that needs them and will appreciate the gift of sight. Please consider downloading from here, two of our songs, and with your help, we can provide more people with the gift of sight. Thank you.
Hey Andy, Was indeed good to see you at Elijah, which i feel went rather well when all is said and done! I still treasure "Knives" though i dare not perform it as organ repairs are quite expensive i believe :P Thankyou so much for linking me up though, some of that stuff is fantastic, absolutely beautiful. I was however, shocked to discover it is unavailable on itunes, something you must rectify! But in the interrim, how can i get hold of some more stuff? I feel this may be the tonic to the hell that is exam revision! All the best, Jim
I have listened to some of your music before trying to sleep. It is as soothing as it is beautiful. Thank you.
Lately I have listened again, quite by chance, to King Crimson's "I talk to the wind" and I thought you were capturing the same kind of spirit, and peaceful sound I am actually looking for. It's the flute who made me think of going back to one of Andrew's page.
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