Expérience
Bungee

The theatre fills with insect chirps and bird calls to announce the coming of nature's aerial beings. On an acoustic guitar - Bruce Rickerd - plucks the next song's chord pattern while towering rain sticks bestow the sounds of a rain forest. The vocalists begin singing my favorite song from the original soundtrack: "Kalimando," which, on the studio recording, includes a choir singing the chorus as insects and birds provide an organic atmosphere. Above, golden bird-like creatures soar through the air attached to bungee chords. Their costumes-designed by the talented Dominique Lemieux - feature metallic streamers that reflect a spectrum of lights. A mystifying aerial ballet ensues.

Continuing with the bungee act, drummer - John Abraham - picks up the pace that triggers the energetic song, "Kunya Sobé." The frantic bass line, performed by Jean-François Brissette, emanates from an instrument called "Stick". I had first been exposed to this unusual instrument in 1981 upon hearing King Crimson's Tony Levin's opening line to the song, "Elephant Talk." Stick, originally called "Chapman Stick" (named for its inventor), is a difficult instrument to master as it is part guitar and part bass, but played almost like a keyboard with two hands tapping the fret board without the need to pluck or pick the strings. Monsieur Brissette is shown holding the ten-string Stick in the "Mystère Live" CDs inner sleeve.

In the middle of the song, a remarkably complicated event takes place. The right-side stage door flies open and the Big Baby character darts out driving a golf cart. The band ceases playing the Irish jig-like passage of "Kunya Sobé," but as the cart speeds through the theatre- the song is heard emitting from its tiny speakers. The band stands at attention until the cart disappears into the left-side stage door, then the musicians pick the song right back up without missing a beat. I marvel at how they can time this so perfectly.

Features text written by Paul Roberts, as published in the "Fascination! Newsletter".