PERFORMING ARTS

-- Daniel Ginsberg

'Via Kabul'

The West has much to learn from Central Asian musicians -- chiefly, that less is more. An opportunity for that lesson came Wednesday at the Freer Gallery, from the musicians of "Via Kabul: Central Asia Without Borders." Three groups of Central Asian performers displayed their complex, transfixing art before a capacity audience: the Ensemble Tengir-Too from Kyrgyzstan; Homayun Sakhi and Toryalai Hashimi from Afghanistan; and the Academy of Maqam from Tajikistan. All were clad in shimmering native brocades and embroidered robes.

The Tengir-Too performed on an array of modest-size instruments: assorted versions of the gourd-shaped komuz (bowed and strummed lutes, some no larger than ping-pong paddles) and the tiny jew's-harp. These were played with the artistry and impact of concerto soloists in Western concert halls. The instruments accompanied singers in elaborate chantlike narrations of ancient folk tales.

Playing on a rubab (long-necked lute) and small tablas (hand drums), the Afghan duo engaged in sometimes mirthful flights of fancy with long mesmerizing chains of complex rhythmic patterns climaxing in boisterous fortissimos. The Tajikistan instrumentalists supported several singers in songs of human longing and despair. Brilliantly attired in a shimmering silvery gown and jeweled headpiece, a dancer underscored the vocal themes in pliant head and arm gestures and jingling wrist bells.

-- Cecelia Porter

The Ventures

There was no getting around the fact that the Ventures are getting on in age. Rhythm guitarist Don Wilson, 73, even made a joke about him and a younger woman ("Could you be interested in an older man?" "Why, do you have a son?"). The title of the first song, "Walk, Don't Run," described how the quartet took the stage Wednesday night at the Birchmere.

But you had to be thrilled to have them in front of you at all. As the best-selling instrumental rock-and-roll band ever, the Ventures have arguably accounted for more electric guitar sales and influenced more professional and basement guitarists in the last 46 years than any other ("Walk, Don't Run" reached No. 2 on the Billboard chart in 1960).

And still they aren't in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, unduly flagged as a cover band. There's a movement afoot to correct this oversight, but the Hall of Fame better get moving. Lead guitarist Nokie Edwards, 70, leaned on a stool and played surf rev-ups such as "Telstar," "Penetration" and "Out of Limits" with hardly any movement other than his fingers. He rarely turned his head to look at his fretboard. He performed "Sleepwalk" as if enacting it.

The younger members of the band -- bassist Bob Spalding, merely a 30-year veteran of the group, and drummer Leon Taylor, the thirty-something son of the late drummer Mel -- frequently energized songs with flashes of rock fury such as on "Wipe Out," but things eventually lost their urgency again.

The Ventures may be vintage, but give them credit for drawing a crowd to the Birchmere that rarely goes out anymore, unless it's to the deck of a cruise ship, and most of those fans stood patiently in a long line after the show to meet their heroes.

-- Buzz McClain