As if I’m not lucky enough to be walking the earth at the same time as a multi-faceted, multi-instrumental genius like Amy Denio, never mind to be living in the same city and traveling in the same circles of musical weirdos, it absolutely blows my tiny mind that I, like, know her, and that she’s willing to be part of this odd little endeavor I started in my basement 20 years (and two days) ago. I am so glad Kate and Leanna invited her to join our loopy cohort for Ball of Wax 71.
From among the many musical tools at her disposal, Amy chose a simple drum and her own voice to create “Dunga-Dee,” the second track on this collection to feature spontaneously invented language as part of its spontaneously invented musical landscape. But the mood could not be more different from the swirling intensity of Crystal Beth’s “Answer the Damn Phone.” The simple rhythm and beautiful harmonies bring to mind a leisurely swing in a hammock, the jazz-infused melodies she layers over top just adding more sun to the scene. The moment where it all drops out and she swings from a breezy falsetto down to gravelly throat-singing and all the way back to the top before bringing it back home for another few swings is just one more reminder of how lucky we are to be graced by her brilliance.