Paris

Jonas Hellborg and Shawn Lane, despite not being household names, are two towering giants in the fusion world on bass and guitar, respectively. After playing together for many years (mostly with drummer Jeff Sipe), in 2001 they turned their attention to the music of South India, collaborating with the Vinayakram brothers for the album Good People in Times of Evil and its follow-up, Icon. Paris is a full presentation of both sets from the first date of their 2001 tour, at the New Morning club in Paris on May 15, and covers much of the material from Good People in Times of Evil. Despite this being the first show of the tour, the interplay between all the musicians is nothing short of stunning. Like the best successful music fusions, what this music is depends on where you're coming from. Fans of Indian classical music will probably hear it as rock. Rock and fusion folks will probably hear it as Indian music, and stuffy jazz purists just won't hear it. As Umamahesh spins entrancing vocal passages (very much of the Indian classical tradition), Hellborg supplies some of the richest bass tones to ever emanate from an acoustic bass guitar, somehow striking the perfect balance between hard funk, jazz virtuosity, and Indian classical music. Shawn Lane is nearly unbelievable as well. Playing with a tone that sounds something like a sarangi crossed with U. Srinivas' electric mandolin, Lane's technique is astonishing. He can play fast and dexterously enough to send the hardiest shredders back to their bedrooms for months of practice, but generally plays with a tremendous amount of taste and restraint. On "Savitri," he plays a sort of alap (aided by a delay) that is absolutely jaw-dropping. One might think the crew was unbelievably lucky to have captured it with the tape rolling, but when he's at least as amazing on his intro to "Surbahar," you have to wonder why this guy isn't on every list of great guitar players that's been published in the preceding decade. Hellborg's solo turns are no less exciting, showing both prodigious technique and serious musicality. It's also clear that he's having a wonderful time. Selvaganesh's kanjeera playing is also worth noting, particularly on "Leal Souvenir," where he and Umashankar (on ghatam) trade licks with Hellborg. The camera work and sound are both excellent: a good example of how a music performance should be documented. Many cameras were used, able to show close-ups of both the performers and how they play their instruments (guitarists and bass players take note), as well as the interaction between musicians. The DVD itself has no real bells or whistles to speak of in terms of extras, just both complete sets of a phenomenal performance by some incredible musicians. That should be enough. Highly recommended. ~ Sean Westergaard|