Recording: Alister Spence

Artist: Alister Spence + Pierre Mongeon / Alister Spence + Alexandra Spence

Songs: [excerpts from two improvisations]

Recorded at Array Space ("Audiopollination 15"), February 11, 2014.

Alister Spence + Pierre Mongeon - [second piece]

Alister Spence + Alexandra Spence - [first piece]

Full review to follow. Alister Spence, visiting from Australia, played three miniature duo sets. That gave him a chance to show off a range of approaches, from extended string-buffing techniques to bluesy rolls. Pierre Mongeon brought some cool echo-y effects for his trumpet, which was nicely accompanied by Spence's rolling textures. The latter brought to mind fellow Australians The Neck, so it was no surprise to hear Spence later mention that he has played with them — and has done some recordings with Necks bassist Lloyd Swanton. But the real highlight of the night was a duo with his daughter Alexandra, playing some circular pulsing warbles on clarinet. Simply lovely stuff.

As always, you can revisit the entire night on Audiopollination's bandcamp archive.