Paul Wertico Trio

Posted by: Anna Tooth on 22 June 2006

Hi,

The latest addition to The Naim Label catalogue is available now!

Another Side is an exciting new project from ex Pat Metheny drummer and percussionist Paul Wertico. Paul is joined on his latest CD by guitarist John Moulder and bassist Brian Peters who are full time members of the trio.

Paul wanted to illustrate another side to his trio’s sound and previous recordings which were multi-tracked, and mixed over a period of several months. The simplicity of Naim’s True Stereo approach to recording appealed to him as the perfect way to convey the energy of his band’s sound. What also comes across quite blatantly is the band’s astonishing ability to communicate musically and sensitively with each other.

Another Side is a fascinating collection of tunes and textures; a collection of spontaneous compositions which fit seamlessly together. The music is unified by a mood of tranquillity where the solos and ensemble playing are woven together to create a serene sonic landscape.

John Moulder is a fiery yet lyrical guitarist. His playing is uplifting, highly imaginative and deeply emotional and on top of this he is also an incredible composer, having recorded three solo discs and played on countless others

At only 21, bassist Brian Peters is an amazing musician. His playing is solid, melodic and uncluttered. He is also a guitarist and violinist, and plays the Theremin, shehnai and duduk. On this album he even played the church organ.

Another Side is a True Stereo recording, which means that it is an unprocessed analogue recording, engineered by Ken Christianson. It was recorded in St Gregory the Great Church in Chicago, IL, using two microphones direct to a two track Nagra tape machine.

It's been suggested that we have more than one track available to listen to via MP3, so there are three tracks available on our website to give you an idea of the Paul Wertico Trio's music. Here's a link to one track:

i gotta be chi

Follow this link to find more info on the album including the other MP3s:

more info and mp3s

Click here to buy a copy of Another Side

buy another side


Downbeat - January 07 Issue

Paul Wertico Trio ***
Another Side
NAIM 093


Drummer Paul Wertico is actively involved in numerous groups in Chicago and even more
projects elsewhere. The simplest of his musical contexts, his trio with guitarist John Moulder
and bassist Brian Peters, continues to be his most satisfying avenue of expression.
This is only the second studio album for the trio, and it’s a bit of a departure, both in its
straightforward recording and production and in its sound, one less explosive and more
exploratory than previously heard. Recorded in a Chicago church, using only two microphones in
a direct unprocessed analog format, the music comes across with the immediate sound of a live
trio. But while the album radiates a live jam freshness there is a commendable focus and
brevity accompanying it. Except for Wertico’s four drum and/or percussion intros, all the material
was composed by the entire trio. Some of the most interesting music comes
early in the session as the first 15 minutes or so evocatively weave together everything from the
church organ opener, played by Peters, to some cosmic blues guitar by Moulder on “A Slow
Stroll Around A Black Hole.” The core of the opening segment comes with the segue of the
atmospheric “Children Of The Night,” a dark and moody, almost electronica piece, awash
with cymbals and sustained guitar, and “Little Creatures,” the most extended cut at just more
than six minutes, which creatively coalesces around Peters’ bass line. Material with more
emphasis on dynamics is found in “Mideastern Standard Time,” as Wertico whirls up a rhythmic
dervish beneath and in front of Moulder’s guitar. Short songs like the percussion-driven
funk of “Sticks And Stones,” which benefits from an excellent Wertico intro, and the straightahead
romp “O Man” have a more conventional guitar trio sound. —Michael Point
Posted on: 27 June 2006 by fred simon


The clips sound great, can't wait to hear the whole album.

Paul and I go way, way back ... to the previous century. Paul recorded and toured with the Simon and Bard Group for a few years before going off with Pat Metheny, and we continue to make music on an occasional basis.

John Moulder is a wonderful guitarist with whom I've had the pleasure of playing some fine music over the years.

Fred


Posted on: 22 September 2006 by Ridzwan
Anna,

Would you think that Naim will produce any rock genre music under Naim label?..

cheers
Posted on: 15 January 2007 by Michael_B.
I've been listening to this over the weekend - it's absolutely stunning. Some wonderful drumming of course, but great ensemble playing and some really inventive sounds. Wonderful!

Many thanks to all involved in the project.

Cheers

Mike
Posted on: 19 January 2007 by Chris Kelly
I listened to this at a fellow forum member's house earlier this week. We didn't listen to the whole album but what I heard sounded extremely good, and I hope to borrow it and listen to it again soon. I have no idea of the economics of all this, but kudos to the Naim label for bringing these sounds to our attention.