An Appreciation of Intensity -- Bergmark & Metzger at Khyber Pass. In late January 2020 for what I did not know would be my last pre COVID indoor music , I roused myself to hike over to the Khyber Pass There was no wind, the temperature steadied around the freezing mark. Snow clung to the neighborhood trees, homes, signs and muffled the sounds of the night. I arrived five minutes late - to my great, great regret. Krissy Bergmark on tabla and Paul Metzger on banjo were playing with verve and an intensity of interplay that kept my senses fully engaged for the evening. I won’t feign knowing more than I do, but I’d label the music as raga or raga-inspired. Reference point for some: The Beatles’ Within You Without You . Metzger’s banjo is no ordinary round box, neck and strings. One version of his creations has 23 strings including a zither-like spray of thirteen fanning out over the drum head , w...