Nonesuch
2006
Mobile
About This Album
Mobile, percussionist Glenn Kotche's third solo offering, is his first for Nonesuch. Being a member of Wilco made scoring a record deal with his band's prestigious label a bit easier to come by, perhaps, but it's well-deserved nonetheless. Kotche has played on over 70 recordings and performed in a variety settings over the past decade. He's a member of Loose Fur with Wilco bandmate Jeff Tweedy and Jim O'Rourke, and half of On Fillmore with bassist Darin Gray. Mobile showcases him playing solo on different percussion instruments including vibraphone, marimba, cembalo, piano, mbira, kit drums, and more. Rock (and Wilco) fans may blanch at the thought of someone making a solo percussion record, but that's their problem. Mobile is a fascinating and challenging recording of composed strategy pieces by a master musician. The only work not entirely composed by Kotche here is the opener, "Clapping Music Variations," based on "Clapping Music" by Steve Reich from 1972. While using the theme of the original as his first couple of phrases, he identifies his source and its character. But where that music goes is someplace altogether different. Pitches, modes, meter; all are implemented and built upon in layers with various percussion instruments including cymbals, vibes, marimbas, and tom toms.
Track List (try tracks 2,5 and 7)

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