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Zongo - Whitefish Crackers
Whitefish Crackers is the live album of the first performance of the new power trio proudly named ZONGO, featuring Woody Woodmansee, of The Big Diggity and The Merry Pranksters cranking keyboards and vocals and Dan Barkman, just moving to town from Lexington last fall, invading on electronic percussion-sounds and being the second percussionist added to the Pranksters. This performance was recorded at Longshot Tavern April 6th this year, when the band opened up for Hairy Apes BMX, a hot national jazz band from Texas. Wes Kaeton in disguise with an afro wig and vampire cape was on bass that night, as ZONGO has a revolving lineup on bass players. Woody was dressed with appropriate bling-bling around the neck and a runway worker jumpsuit, donning a hat with fuzzy ears. Dan was day glow, with his unusual hats, glow stick shoes, and dozens of Mardi-Gras beads decorating his unique percussion setup that is eyed by everyone. It includes a Roland Handsonic, a V Kit, and other assorted surprises.
Hairy Apes BMX features Mike Dillon, talented vibe/percussionist, of Les Claypool’s Frog Brigade, Critters Buggin‘, and Malachy Papers, all of which are staples in the annual New Orleans Jazz Fest held in May. This was Mike Dillon’s first stop to Louisville and he was pleased with the mesmerized crowd at the Tavern, but also by the talent of the trio, ZONGO, that opened up.
Look for them as a duo or with Mike DuFresne, of The Java Men and Days of The New on bass in their next appearances, which include the LMIA showcase at Molly Malone’s on June 3rd. On June 12th, they will playing with The Merry Pranksters at Gerstle’s Place.
Woody is a talented young player, only 22, with fire, soul, and technique that will be matched by no other within just a few years. Dan has the technique from intensive percussion training at E.K.U. and playing in touring bands out of Lexington, such as Witchazel, BlueHoney, and Astrolyte.
Back to Whitefish Crackers. The CD starts with a personalized rap by HAIRY APES BMX, getting into the ZONGO concept. Next is the Medeski, Martin and Wood tune, "Bubble House," a dramatic instrumental which drives through tempo changes and leaves you gripping to the edge of your chair. ZONGO covers the Phish tune, "Cars, Trucks, Busses" with more fire than Phish. "No Quarter" by Led Zeppelin has a brilliant new twist and has to be one of the band’s most inspired covers. They also put a twist on Soft Machine, putting in some nice changes and calling it "Song a.k.a. Soft Machine," kicking it up a notch. "Beat Box Mambo" is a ZONGO original with a catchy Latin rhythm that prompted Mike D. to join the music on stage with his timbales. He also stayed for the encore "Kick Stand Hog" which is a cover from one of Mike Dillon’s other bands, Critters Buggin’. This doesn't happen every night, he only sits in with the best. There is an interesting hidden track on there with a sample taken from "The Simpsons," if you're a Sunday night fan.
Keep up with the future of the hottest new band in town at www.zongofunk.com and "Shake What Your Momma Gave You…" as the band says. - www.lmiacentral.com
Discography
Whitefish Crackers - Featuring Mike Dillon on percussion
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
You never know what to expect from these Zongo fellas, aside from bewildering talent that leads to exceptional jams and a definite groove on. Zongo delivers a musical blast of fresh air which unleashes the raw, uninhibited energy of Woody Woodmansee (keyboards/vocals) and Dan Barkman (percussion/various toys). Each has studied their instruments seriously since an early age, and when they met in 2003, it was an instant inter-planetary explosion! Both are remarkably talented and intelligent musicians; truly master-minds of their own kind. Woody and Dan have shared their talents in numerous projects, but Zongo is that special something that sets them free. It gives them a chance to take flight and let themselves emanate through their performances, meanwhile captivating a crowd and jamming on into the dawn. With a mix of revolving uber-talented bass players at hand, or as a power duo, Zongo is ready to roll.
Woody Woodmansee, (a.k.a the Reverend Woody Flava), started learning piano when he was 7 years old. His studies included Suzuki style classical training, ragtime, and jazz theory. Not only did he take the studying seriously, but it ignited in him a passion for the piano that has led him to develop a mesmerizing talent. Woody, age 22, possesses an ability and spirit far beyond his years that promises to blow your mind! (To quote Mike Dillon of Hairy Apes BMX, “Woody, you’re only 22, man! In a few years I wanna see you flying Michael Jordan f*!#ing style!!!”). He has played in several bands including Pimpco, Bloom Street, and Dub Mystic. Currently, you can catch Woody jammin’ on the keys with The Louisville Merry Pranksters, Big Diggity, The Family Jewels, and of course in his innate element of Zongo.
“Creepy Dan” Barkman, age 34, grew up in Danville, KY, and started with drum set lessons by the age of 9. He was in the band program at Danville High School and went onto Eastern Kentucky University, applying himself to Percussive Arts and Music Merchandising. He then moved to Lexington and played with top bands such as Soup-Bone, Blue Honey, Witchazel, and Astrolyte. Since September 2003, upon arriving in Louisville, he plays with The Merry Pranksters, The Family Jewels, and now Zongo. An electro-acoustic percussive master, he fuses traditional drumming with the future by augmenting his four piece jazz kit with a variety of synths and gadgets ranging from a Virtual Kit to an old Moog synthesizer.
Combine their far-out imaginative minds, the absolutely astounding talents, and their ingenious droll personalities, with their appetite for sharing the groove, and then you have it… the brainchild of the most incredibly unique people this side of Neptune… ZONGO!
ZONGO ZONGO HEY!
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