Wayne Horvitz: American Bandstand

Like Bo and Luke Duke in a car chase, Zony Mash reverses direction in an instant on American Bandstand. While the CD is billed to Horvitz only, the group behind him is Zony Mash in mostly acoustic mode. Where Horvitz’s Upper Egypt evokes lower Manhattan, American Bandstand conjures Keith Jarrett’s pianistic landscapes, with a hint of Frisell’s pastoralism. Horvitz plays sublimely beautiful melodies on piano; Young delivers clean, crisp, coloristic electric guitar; Lowe massages out rueful basslines; and drummer Andy Roth, so snappy with the beats on Upper Egypt, plays with brushes like an impressionistic painter.

American Bandstand’s “Ben’s Music,” “Love, Love, Love” and “Forever” are among the most beatific melodies you’ll hear this year.

Originally Published October 1, 2000