Just wrapped a two day recording of Fred Ho’s latest CD Dragon Vs Eagle - a futuristic, Kung Fu, Jazz fantasy, radio play. The mic collection at System Two Studios in Brooklyn is amazing. I was told that one of the mics pictured here belongs to John Coltrane. I was working as an actor playing Wong Fei Hung, the legendary Kung Fu master who led revolts against the “White Barbarians” and other foreign invaders into China. When Fred heard me playing shakuhachi during a break, he asked me to record on one of the tracks!

Last week of Angels of Swedenborg performances this week. See the latest review here: http://culturebot.net/2011/11/11635/ping-chongs-angels-of-swedenborg-at-la-mama/

In situations like this, I always think back at what Akikazu Nakamura once said, “in contemporary musical situations, you must go where only you can go…improvise often”.

The view from the second floor vocal both. Acoustic instruments need isolation during the recoding so as to have more control in the final mix. Notice to the back, of the room, you’ll see a drum booth and two other booths. One was inhabited by the acoustic bass player.

I was pleasantly surprised to meet Masaru. He had purchased a 2.4 Earth shakuhachi from me a while back. It was great to hear him play Monty’s Shaku-lute. I think Monty should get an endorsement from him. Masa’s one of the best player’s I’ve ever heard. In fact, all of the musicians on Fred’s record were top notch. I hope my shakuhachi does not end up on the cutting room floor

Fred Ho’s must is powerful. Check him out at:http://www.bigredmediainc.com/brmflash/

It was an interesting week with lots of shakuhachi convergences. First, one of the dressers for Angels of Swedenborg was an actress with Tokyo Kid Brothers and had performed with Akikazu at La Mama E.T.C. in the early 1980’s. Then, I met Masaru by chance as I did not know he was going to be on Fred’s recording. Finally, after we wrapped the two day recording session last night, I went to hear Liz Swado’s Canatata - a musical celebration of Ellen Stewart. In the show was my first shakuhachi mentor Yukio Tsuji, sneaking the shakuhachi in whenever he could.

No one plays shakuhachi like Yukio. I could distinguish his sound in a room full of players.

Did I mention lately that my life rules
Namaste, Perry