Bill Frisell presents Hunter S. Thompson's The Kentucky Derby Is Decadent and Depraved (World Premiere this weekend)
2013-04-21
Miner Auditorium
SFJAZZ Center, 205 Franklin St, San Francisco, CA
4 PM, Sunday, April 21, 2013

[4:06 PM lights down; Introduction by Laura Evans]

(the episodes, while not notated in program, are listed on the cd, hence the following list)

1. Overture (My Old Kentucky Home)
2. I Got Off the Plane Around Midnight…
3. At the Airport Newstand
4. The Next Day Was Heavy…
5. The Governor, a Swinish Neo-Nazi Hack…
6. Entr'acte
7. On Our Way Back to the Motel
8. It Was Saturday Morning, the Day of the Big Race…
9. In a Box Not Far from Ours…
10. Sometime Around 10:30 Monday Morning…
    [show ends 5:20 PM]

* Brad Hall: Ralph Steadman, (other minor characters); * Tim Robbins: Hunter S. Thompson; * Chloe Webb: Desk clerk, (other minor characters), director; * Hal Wilner: Jimbo, (other minor characters), producer.

* Curtis Fowlkes: trombone; * Bill Frisell: conductor, composer; * Ron Miles: trumpet; * Hank Roberts: cello; * Jenny Scheinman: violin; * Doug Wieselman: clarinet, bass clarinet; * Kenny Wollesen: drums, vibes, percussion.

“Like a radio play” is about an apt a summary as can be offered. This wasn’t really a multimedia event where the focus moved between the visual and auditory realms. Nor did the music play any huge part in delivery the story. Instead, it served as pleasant background for Hunter’s classic rant. Sure, there were a few nice instrumental breaks, and likewise, Chloe threw a couple of good visual surprises into the mix, but really, it was like hearing a live radio play. Fun! And somehow, the event got stretched out to about double the length of the album. Funny how time bends when Hunter’s around!

Read about the project on Bill’s website.