Recap: Euro Prog Band Gong at the Strand Theater In Hudson Falls, NY 10/16/2024

October 20, 2024

2–3 minutes

Photos/Writer: Rudy Lu

A gong makes 2 types of sound:
1. A crash. This sound is made from a flat gong (tam tam)
2. tuned note. This sound is made from a nippled gong.

As I was driving up to Hudson Falls, I was wondering which type of sound would the band most closely resemble.

The band was formed from a French cooperative back in 1967 and to Daevid Allen, an Australian musician who was also involved in Soft Machine. Like many bands of this vintage and some from later bygone eras, there are no original members of the band in the present lineup. The band broke up been on hiatus, splintered and reformed with many variations over these 5 decades. Daevid passed away in 2015.However, this band does not nostalgically play greatest hits. Instead it continues to play and compose music in the originals spirit. They released a new album of originals Unending/Descending in 2023.

The opening number was “My Guitar Is A Spaceship”. And a spaceship it was, the song launched the small but appreciative audience into a portal to outer space with the band as its guide. Lead singer Kavus Torabi ecstatic vocals guided us with the rest of the band as multiple rocket engines. Ian East other worldly sax was neither rock n roll or jazz but truly psychedelic sounds. Fabio Golfetti was visually much in the background but musically leading. Dave Sturt’s puslating bass propeled us like impulse power on a Starship. Cheb Nettles’ frenetic drumming drove us to warp speed.

Kapital was harsh in tone sending us hurtling into space.

“All Clocks Reset” was cruising downhill in neutral. Melodic Punctuation by Ian East dominated.

Rejoice is a celebration of the late Daevid Allen’s life. Joyous, a complex tune, one of the longer ones of the set.

In “Tiny Galaxies”, we were told to imagine looking into a telescope backwards and observing the worlds on the other end. Maybe reminding us to look inward as well outward.

“Lunar Invocation” is a tribute to the moon with chanting by the entire band. Coincidentally a full moon the night of the performance.

“Insert Yr Own Prophecy” was the finale, was complex with rapid multiple changing motifs, riffs and motifs. Paying tribute to lives lost, celebrating life and wondering about any afterlife.

To answer my original question, this Gong is a tuned note. A note that shimmered throughout the set.

A truly gifted and visionary band. The music/lyrics was incredibly complex and communicated on many levels. This present tour is the band’s first visit to the USA in 10 years.They were absolutely happy about playing here inspite of the small audience. They plan to return next year but will be planning to visit the West Coast.

Thanks to Jonathan Newell and the Strand Theater volunteers to host this wonderful band and many others that are off our usual beaten path,

Setlist:

My Guitar Is A Spaceship, Kapital, All Clocks Reset, Rejoice, Tiny Galaxies, My Sawtooth, Wake, Through Restless Seas I come, Lunar Invocation, Master Builder, Choose Your Goddess, Insert Yr Own Prophecy