Puppets Dance by Peter Herbert & Peter Madsen: A Jazz Odyssey That’ll Make You Go “Huh?”
Alright, buckle up because Puppets Dance is one of those albums that sneaks up on you like a jazz cat burglar. Released in 1999 under Austria’s PAO Records (shoutout to Executive Producer Paul Zauner for making it happen), this record feels less like an album and more like a late-night ramble through some smoky Viennese basement where the pianos have secrets and the basslines are judging your life choices.
First off, let’s talk about two tracks that stuck with me long after my headphones came off—because if I’m being honest, not every song here screams “remember me forever.” But hey, isn’t that jazz? It’s supposed to make you think, right?
Track 1: "Desert Flower"
This tune hits you gently, like someone throwing rose petals at your face—but then halfway through, BAM! The rhythm section pulls out all the stops, and suddenly you’re questioning whether flowers can actually grow in deserts or if this whole thing is just a metaphor for… something deep. Maybe existential dread? Or maybe they just really liked cacti. Either way, Peter Herbert’s basslines groove so hard they could probably moonlight as a chiropractor. And Peter Madsen’s piano work? Dude sounds like he’s got fingers made of lightning bolts.
What I love most about “Desert Flower” is how it balances chill vibes with moments of pure chaos. It’s like sitting in a hammock while tornadoes swirl around you—it shouldn’t work, but somehow it does.
Track 7: "Puppet’s Dance"
Oh man, this track. If the album had a thesis statement, this would be it. Right from the opening notes, you get why it’s called Puppets Dance. Imagine marionettes cutting loose at a rave but still kinda tied to strings. There’s this playful tension between freedom and control, which honestly feels like real life wrapped up in five minutes of music. Plus, there’s a moment around the 2:30 mark where everything drops out except for a single bass note, and it’s so quiet you might miss it—but when you catch it, it’s like finding a hidden Easter egg in a video game. Genius.
---
Now, let’s give props to the unsung heroes behind the scenes. Engineers Bob Ward and Michael Brorby clearly knew what they were doing, because the sound quality is crisp without being overproduced. Kudos to them for letting the instruments breathe instead of drowning them in reverb. And hats off to Peter Herbert himself—not only did he co-create this masterpiece, but he also produced it. Talk about multitasking!
But wait, here’s the kicker: Despite its brilliance, Puppets Dance doesn’t try too hard to impress you. It’s confident enough to let you figure things out on your own, kind of like that aloof friend who never explains their jokes but always makes you laugh anyway.
So yeah, if you’re into jazz that challenges your brain cells while keeping your toes tapping, grab yourself a copy of Puppets Dance. Just don’t blame me if you start hearing basslines in your sleep. Oh, and fun fact: Did you know puppets technically can’t dance unless someone moves them? Mind = blown.
