Kropotkins at the WFMU Record Fair

A perfect cap-off to three days of crate-digging, pizza slinging and crowd-navigating at the WFMU Record Fair, a live set from the Kropotkins was just what the doc ordered to usher in the weekend's close. Split between Memphis and New York, this bunch gets together maybe once every five years to record and play shows, so landing them at the fair was an honor indeed. Led by Dave Soldier (composer/neuroscientist and presenter of some great films about his Thai Elephant Orchestra recording project at the fair on Saturday), the Kropotkins blur the line between downtown NYC avant and the Fred McDowell/Otha Turner shadow that looms large over Memphis/North Mississippi by shaking things down with the dulcet tones of singer Lorette Velvette, a mighty figure among unabashed fanboys and girls here at WFMU for sure. As dealers packed up their crates Sunday evening, a modest crowd gathered and even cut a rug right on the Metropolitan Pavillion floor, though no one to the best of my memory hollered goat. Usual members Moe Tucker and Charlie Burnham didn't make it up, the line-up still rocked, with ex-Swans/Transmission/Rhys Chatham drummer and (current leader of his new band February) Jonathan Kane stirring up the snare, downtown music/film fixture Eszter Balint hopping in last minute on violin, Lorette on electric guitar/vox, her husband Al X. Green on keys, Dog on guitar, Ron Franklin on bass drum, and Dave on violin and banjo. Some MP3s here from the band's two great studio records, and you can catch them live tonight (Monday November 6th) at Tonic sharing a bill with Soldier's Spinoza's and Kane's February (who you can check out some video of playing live at FMU here earlier this year). The Kropotkins also play Zebulon, 258 Wythe in Williamsburg for free Tuesday night at 8:30. Thanks to the band for a perfect way to end the fair, and to Irene and Glenn for engineering.