DESCRIPTION:
A live improv featuring Michael Bettine on Gongs & percussion, and Jay Mollerskov on Guitar. Recorded at the 'Unrehearsed' one year anniversary show at The Borg Ward in Milwaukee, WI, February3, 2014.

While Jay and I had known each other for a while, and had seen each other play in various situations, this was the very 1st time we ever played together. It was originally to be a trio, but the sax player had the flu, so it became a duo.

The video is interesting because I had set my recorder up in front of me to capture the audio. It wasn't until later, when processing things, that I realized I had left the camera on. So we have a very intimate close up of me playing what is essentially a 'floor Gamelan' made up of 12 small Gongs from about 6" - 13" in diameter (4-Paiste Accent Gongs, 3-Chinese Opera Gongs, 5-small Chau, Bao & MA Gongs). I also used an ancient UFIP Ictus75 9" Ice Bell, a spring drum, and a pair of stacked Chinese Jingbo cymbals. All instruments were spread out on the rug before me.

The title, '4,000 Steps,' refers both to the number of notes played, and the 2 mile (4,000 step) journey Pilgrims take to the Wat Phrathat Buddhist temple in Thailand.

~ MB