Marco Benevento played his droney shimmering, danceable instrumental jam band pop at the Axe and Fiddle last night and it was a magical show! His band was awesome. That drummer (Andy Borger) was amazing. BAss player Dave Dreiwitz was on his game too laying down the fuzz. I don’t know what to say about the show other than that I loved it.
years ago i Reviewed one of his cds, here is the review originally published in Performer Magazine. He’s made two new albums since 2012! I have got to catch up!
Marco Benevento: Between the Needles and Nightfall
(Domestic)
Trout Recording in Brooklyn, NY where engineer Bryce Goggin
Mixed by Mell Dettmer (Sunn O))), Eyvind Kang, Jesse Lauter (Low Anthem, Elvis Perkins) and Vid Cousins (Amon Tobin, Kid Koala)
Benevento delivers another fun and lively collection of funky keyboard music.
A friendly bass riff supplied by Reed Mathis from (Tea Leaf Green and the Jacob Fred Jazz Oryssey) is a prominent part of the title track. “Numbers” chugs along like “Benny and the Jets” but with whirling whizzing, synths and circuit bent toys by Tom Stephenson from Math Robot.
An eye-opening cover of Amy Winehouse’s “You know I’m no good,” features some extremely overdriven organ. Drummer Andrew Barr really shines here, bringing unexpected counter rhythms and colorful rim shots. Benevento says, “Its such a catchy ditty, it should be in the next fake book or Real book, I’m sure it will stand the test of time!”
The dreamy shuffle on “Music is Still Secret” reminds me of Kid Koala. (maybe that sound is from the collaboration with Vid Cousins.) “Snow Lake” has a creepy shamisen-like sound chiming, these are processed bells from Scott Amendola.
There is always a certain feel to a Benevento song: a pleasant skip in your stride mood, that lends itself to walking with a forward lean. “Ila Frost” is a highlight, and an ideal example of melodies that sound truly optimistic. Swirling organs provide the poetry, and VInce Guaraldi-like piano riffs bring hope and joy.
There is a Mellotron, an Optigan, various Pianos and Organs and a Harpsichord, processed through bit shifters, delay effects and ring modulators, each joining in like adorable muppet characters in an avant garde opera.
You are sure to hear more layers each time you indulge in this eccentric album.
Isaac and the Awkward Situations 