If you look up the word “variations” in Merriam Webster’s dictionary, the fourth definition states that it’s “the repetition of a musical theme with modifications in such elements as rhythm, melody, harmony, key, tempo, and accompaniment.” That squarely describes David Cain’s latest intriguing project, Variations.
David Cain is composer, multi-instrumentalist and singer who is always looking for novel ways to get as creative as possible when making music. We know that from a series of amazing collaborations with Paul Wertico and Larry Gray, as well as when Cain goes solo.
Cain is going solo again but instead of the stream of consciousness from sitting down in front of piano, he’s summoning all facets of his musical know-how — including knowing his way around a studio — for Variations. Through thirteen short tracks collectively running about twenty-six minutes long, Cain takes us through a safari of sounds and styles, tied together by a theme. it’s that common motif that makes the whole thing flow throughout the changes in just about everything else.
The string quartet of “How Long Is A Piece of String Theory” actually has a Celtic flavor to it. “Candy Apple Red Tenor Wall” is also played by a quartet…a sax quartet, keenly blended and layered, while Cain uses a wildly looped and sampled single sax to wail for “Candy Apple Red Tenor Wall Solo.”
“A Fistful of Guitars” goes flamenco with a modern flair. “Vibing” resembles an Jan Hammer styled fusion funk jam. “Time Bandits” is drums oriented, but still uses the tonal qualities of the percussion to carry that theme. As the title makes clear, “Dreams For 2 Pianos, 4 Hands” is one, gently flowing piano dubbed over another.
Cain made “High On Life Capella” from his voices alone, using harmony and a stray lead voice, much like the sax quartet arrangement but of a completely different character.
Nowhere does Cain’s keen sense of ingenuity blooms more than from the unlikely origins of “Woodrow Joseph Woodpecker Jr.” The snare drum pattern was lifted from a woodpecker tapping on Cain’s treehouse studio while he was composing, precisely matching the tempo of the music, a beat that would perfectly complement the one on “Ballad of Wild and Buffalo Bill” if the two tracks were to be laid over each other.
Pick up Variations over at David Cain’s Bandcamp.
*** David Cain on Amazon Music ***
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