'Revolution' -- a tight band with members from all over the map

Monday, June 30, 2003

By BILL WHITE
SPECIAL TO THE POST-INTELLIGENCER

Could the next world-beat crazei come out of Seattle? It is entirely possible. After 5 1/2 years, Children of the Revolution may be on the verge of a national breakthrough.

MUSIC REVIEW

CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION

WHEN: Friday night

WHERE: Benaroya Recital Hall

With this weekend's sold-out performances at Benaroya's Recital Hall representing the video set to debut on KCTS/9 this fall, the Seattle-based ensemble has a good chance of achieving widespread popularity.

The three-hour show was centered on their new CD, "Liberation," and included flamenco sketches, Greco-Egyptian belly dance, rap and a full gospel choir.

Led by singer and multi-instrumentalist Vassili, whose good looks recall a young Chris Cornell, Children of the Revolution's 11 members span the globe, from Iraq to Brazil. More than a conglomerate of talent, they are a tight and unified band.

The charismatic Vassili shared the spotlight generously with his bandmates. Venezuelan singer Yva Las Vegass, accompanying herself on the quatro, stirred the crowd with passionate and intense versions of "Pola Margaretena" and "Mariposas."

Eric Jaeger played the part of Vassili's sidekick for most of the show, tearing off speed riffs on electric and acoustic guitars, as well as the bouzouki.

Among his highlights was a flamenco piece played in 12/4, which is like a waltz played at four times the normal speed.

Along with violinist Geoffrey Castle, Jaeger brought the first half of the evening to a blazing finish with a battle of exchanged riffs, from James Bond to the Flintstones, climaxing in a spectacular "Orange Blossom Special."

Castle's rampage through "Minor Swing" could teach Mark O'Connor's crew a little about the definition of "hot" as it relates to the music of Django Reinhardt.

Guest artists were sprinkled throughout the program. Seventy-two-year-old Omar Batiste performed a Greek folk dance with a lighted cigarette behind his ear. Debbie Covitt, along with the St. Therese Choir, earned a standing ovation with her vocal pyrotechnics on "Burnt Sugar." And lithe Sasha Grinberg came down from heaven to dance a little salsa with the lucky mortal Vassili. [Note: The artist and choir were incorrect in the original version of this review.]

Repeatedly drawn to the familiar story of a brokenhearted man smoking in a café wishing for one last glance of a woman before saying goodbye to her forever, Vassili brought a tough sensitivity to the Greek Rembetiko classic "Broken Pieces."

At the end of the concert, Vassili delivered a message of peace and a call for enlightenment. "There are two Iraqis and a Jew playing music together here tonight," he said.

Bill White is a Seattle music writer. He can be reached at BWhi61@earthlink.net.

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