Bjorkestra at Bowery Ballroom
January 20, 2006
As the founder and host of the Bjork Hub since March 2004, I’ve had a lot of contact with Bjork-related projects, some of which have worked with the hub in artist promotion. Of these, the Bjorkestra is by far the most rewarding.
Bjorkestra succeeds so effectively for two very distinct reasons: the quality of the musicians, and the content and vision of the creation. The musicians are essentially a “who’s who” in the new wave of young downtown NYC jazz musicians. The concept of Bjorkestra is quite simple, Bjork’s music set in big band brass arrangements–and the execution of that concept is quite superbly done. The arrangements are original, yet capture the essence of the music, and leave ample room for the musicians to breathe their own unique abilities into the framework of the songs. It also helps that Travis Sullivan is an engaging individual, and he stamps his gregarious personality all over the music.
Bjorkestra is performing on Friday June 15, at the Highline Ballroom in NYC. If you have the opportunity to attend this concert, by all means make your way to the venue and experience this superb act.
The performance captured in the recording posted below is both musically outstanding, and a very enjoyable listen. Travis was nice enough to place me on the guest list, and allow me to record from inside of the soundboard booth, with a microphone stand, using my best equipment. The result is an honest and clear capture of Bjorkestra.
Direct download of Complete show in FLAC is [HERE].
Travis Sullivan’s Bjorkestra
2007-02-02
The Canal Room
New York, NY USA
Digital Audience Master Recording
Recorded from Inside the Soundboard Booth
Dead Center, approximately 30 feet from the PA
Neumann KM-150’s (AK-50 Hypercardiod Capsules) > Apogee Minime >
digital coaxial > M-Audio Microtrack > flac
Setlist:
[Total Time 1:44:10]
01 Overture
02 Hyperballad
03 Alarm Call
04 Enjoy
05 Jòga
06 Army of Me
07 Unravel
08 Pluto
09 Show Me Forgiveness
10 Hunter
11 Who Is It
12 Cocoon
13 Human Behavior
Please support this unique and compelling interpretation of the music of Bjork, and visit the Bjorkestra site.
thanks for this!