Michael Draine's Twisted Vista
Blaine & Steven
1890-1990: One Hundred Years of Music
(Les Disques du Crepuscule)
On this 1989 live recording by two founders of
Tuxedomoon, violinist Blaine Reninger and
pianist Steven Brown luxuriate in the romantic,
neoclassical current that has intermittently
informed their respective solo efforts. Though
Brown is the dominant composer here, his
instrument serves the supporting role, with
Reninger’s exotic, sensual violin gliding and
darting above Brown’s disarmingly simple piano
configurations. The delicate, poignant tone
Brown brings to the keyboard finds an ideal
complement in the rapturous passion of
Reninger’s performance. Some compositions		Music Review Index
derive from previous projects dating as
far back as 1977. The angular, assertive
melodies of “Volo Vivace” and “Lightbulb
Overkill” are softened by the intimate,
acoustic arrangements and the cushion of
reverb, yet still retain a sense of urgency
and drama. This collaboration emphasizes the
most exquisitely subtle aspects of Brown and
Reninger’s talents, qualities at times obscured
both in their art-rock and Minimalist works.
Published in Damp #6, 1990
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