Session 14 - Return of Kenso
This coming Friday, July 13, I'll be screening a video of the amazing Japanese symphonic prog band Kenso shot at NEARfest 2005. We'll start at 8 PM, on the third floor video wall. With our new sound system in place, this show will be nothing less than awesome.
Kenso are probably the most important prog band in Japan. Extremely talented musicians fronted by a dentist who wears his lab coat while playing guitar, they take no aural prisoners - these guys are intense. Some of you might remember the earlier Kenso show screened during my Prog series last year - see http://resenv.media.mit.edu/classes/Prog2011/3-Kenso.htm for an elaborate description. Their music moves around, even within a single piece or a single measure - it changes rhythmically, tonally, timbrally, and emotively, but still remains very coherent and compelling. A Kenso song is often born under Zeppelin, raised under Metheny, hangs out with Yes, vacations in Bali, then retires with Bernard Hermann. They can rock *very* heavily, grow sentimental in the next measure, then end in ultimate triumph. Like waking up ready to take over the world, then remembering that you cracked up your car yesterday, but OK, who cares, I'm delighted to ride my bike on such a wonderful morning, and will win the lottery today anyway. And man, these guys are shredding like there's no tomorrow (dual keyboardists rallying all those hot Japanese synth presets).
I was at this show. It was electrifying to hear this music played live. The crowd totally lit up, and the NEARfest audience demands perfection. This video brings back the experience back vividly, as it's excellently shot and edited with great sound (mixed by Brett Kull from Echolyn) that will shine from our new system.
So, hope to see those of you who relish extreme musicianship and intricate but fun edgy rock composition on Friday at 8. Kenso are a crowd-pleaser, but don't compromise.
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Joe
Paradiso (Summer 2012)