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Concert: The Trachtenburg Family Slide Show Players
Alladin Theater, 25 July, Portland, OR (www.trachtenburgfamily.com)
Reviewed by Erick Mertz
My sister and I used to attend junior hockey games growing up in Portland OR. During the intermissions between periods, there was usually a pee-wee hockey game featuring tiny tots skating about -- often falling down on their faces. Their gear was too big and the ice too expansive, but it comprised an entertaining break during the intense, fight filled matches we paid to see.
Seeing the Trachtenberg Family Slide Show players is a lot like those pee-wee hockey games from days of yore. Sure, they were entertaining and humorous - better stated, they were an absolute riot - but something vital was missing; obviously, otherwise we'd all watch pee-wee games over the NHL. These weren't really games, they were distractions and bearing an entire three hour stretch of such sport was an ordeal reserved for mothers and brothers and aunts.
As entertaining as the Trachtenbergs are, there is something glaring missing from their show. Jason Trachtenberg spends a painful amount of time talking to the crowd - he's funny when arriving at his punch line, but at points, he just needs to play his instrument. The multi-media portion of the show put on by Tina Pina is delightful, but from anywhere beyond the first 5-10 rows, it looks like the work of a tired, punch drunk photographer. Rachel is great and her youthful charm can be felt everywhere in the crowd; after almost an hour and a half with barely seven songs though, its time to move on. No amount of cute can color that sparsely arranged play list.
Seeing the Trachtenbergs is well worth it the first time, before the novelty wears off. They are unlike anything else touring out there. Being my second time however, I didn't feel the same elation at their set as I did the first. Maybe the substance was too thin; maybe it was something more. I fear that it is a matter of cute prevailing over quality.
CD: Vintage Slide Collections From Seattle, Volume I
The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players, what with their heavy audience participation ethic, call and response vocals and precocious pre-teen drummer Rachel are pure vaudeville. While their shows are fun, winsome D.I.Y. multi-media expressions, the Vintage Slide Collections from Seattle, Volume I CD for sale at the show is a mixed bag. Jason Trachtenburg's songs are direct plays off of wife Tina Pina's slides. Sure "European Boys" and especially "Mountain Trip to Japan, 1959" are cool, cheeky tunes, but they lack the stand alone ability of say They Might Be Giants or other similar stage driven acts. For a few bucks the CD is worth a shot, but it can accomplish little more than a harkening back to the show where it was purchased.
© 2003 - Erick Mertz