new al*** from fred simon
Posted by: Anna Tooth on 12 October 2004
<drum roll> It's here! A new album from Fred, as much anticipated by some forum members.
"Remember the River" sees Fred in a trio setting once again, this time accompanied by musical alchemists Paul McCandless on English horn, oboe, soprano sax, bass clarinet and penny whistle and Steve Rodby on double bass.
Fred wrote each track on the disc, injecting his sense of beautiful musicality into every inch of the score. The piano sounds as light as a feather under his touch, the bass a perfect complement in Steve’s hands. Paul’s floating and innovative sound has the effect of transporting the whole composition to a higher plane.
For years, Paul has played with the relentlessly innovative group, Oregon, winning many awards and nominations for his playing. He is a talented multi-instrumentalist, as can be seen by reading his list of involvement on Remember The River.
Bassist and co-producer of the Pat Metheny Group, Steve Rodby has won several Grammys for his work. His rapport with the bass is second to none, easily coaxing out a deep and wondrously rich sound; smooth yet authoritative.
Remember the River was co-produced by Fred and Steve, and recorded live with two microphones by Ken Christianson. This new disc is a True Stereo recording.
You can listen to a track by clicking here:
listen to "Folk Songs of the Cold War"
buy a copy of "Remember the River"
Anna
"Remember the River" sees Fred in a trio setting once again, this time accompanied by musical alchemists Paul McCandless on English horn, oboe, soprano sax, bass clarinet and penny whistle and Steve Rodby on double bass.
Fred wrote each track on the disc, injecting his sense of beautiful musicality into every inch of the score. The piano sounds as light as a feather under his touch, the bass a perfect complement in Steve’s hands. Paul’s floating and innovative sound has the effect of transporting the whole composition to a higher plane.
For years, Paul has played with the relentlessly innovative group, Oregon, winning many awards and nominations for his playing. He is a talented multi-instrumentalist, as can be seen by reading his list of involvement on Remember The River.
Bassist and co-producer of the Pat Metheny Group, Steve Rodby has won several Grammys for his work. His rapport with the bass is second to none, easily coaxing out a deep and wondrously rich sound; smooth yet authoritative.
Remember the River was co-produced by Fred and Steve, and recorded live with two microphones by Ken Christianson. This new disc is a True Stereo recording.
You can listen to a track by clicking here:
listen to "Folk Songs of the Cold War"
buy a copy of "Remember the River"
Anna
With all due respect, every album is what it is, and to suggest that it should be this or that, or whatever, is irrelevant. It has been played with the appropriate application of drums or cymbals that was required at the time of the performance, and that it just what it has become. It is a frame of mind sort of thing and is not open to debate. It is a performance. Different artists push in different directions and it is the selection of the player for the particular piece that is open to debate, not the contribution that the artist provided. You either like the style of the artist or you don't - it isn't for us to dictate how that artist applies their craft. This is Jazz for chris'sakes!
You wouldn't say of Turner - Yeah, he's good, but instead of all those dark landscapes, I wish he would paint some nice sunflowers like Van Gogh, would you! This is recognisable style - and yeah, it isn't everybodys taste - but whose is? Do you think Bill Bruford rolling all over it would have been more appropriate?
Selection of people for their style is where it starts and stops.
(that isn't a rant - more like a late night emotive view
)
I'm waiting for this new album to arrive - hope it's on my doormat tomorrow morning. What I am really waiting for is Fred's wildest outpourings that he would love to do but thinks no-one would buy because it's so mad. I would pay double for that one. And it's in there. We just have to wait. I want to see Fred as no-more-mister-nice-guy. It would be fun It would be fucking cool 
A solo piano job.
[This message was edited by Rasher on Thu 14 October 2004 at 0:44.]
You wouldn't say of Turner - Yeah, he's good, but instead of all those dark landscapes, I wish he would paint some nice sunflowers like Van Gogh, would you! This is recognisable style - and yeah, it isn't everybodys taste - but whose is? Do you think Bill Bruford rolling all over it would have been more appropriate?
Selection of people for their style is where it starts and stops.
(that isn't a rant - more like a late night emotive view
)I'm waiting for this new album to arrive - hope it's on my doormat tomorrow morning. What I am really waiting for is Fred's wildest outpourings that he would love to do but thinks no-one would buy because it's so mad. I would pay double for that one. And it's in there. We just have to wait. I want to see Fred as no-more-mister-nice-guy. It would be fun
It would be fucking cool A solo piano job.[This message was edited by Rasher on Thu 14 October 2004 at 0:44.]
quote:
I would say, I prefer Turner's more 'conventional' subject matter, rather than the abstract 'seascapes' though - and that's a better analogy I think..
No...because those are two sides to Turner's style - not the same as asking an artist to do something that they don't do.
But you are right that you said "for my taste", and I may have over-reacted. I didn't mean to tear into you. Sorry if it came over like that.
Bill Bruford is a fabulous drummer, but a little over serious and anal for my taste
No I haven't heard the Ted Sirota disks.
Mike Shrieve is the best drummer that ever walked the planet - but we've been here before.
What's up Tom ?- You've not been yourself recently
What's up Tom ?- You've not been yourself recently
quote:
Originally posted by Patrick Dixon:
I didn't ask Fred to do something he doesn't do -
No..that's what I keep doing
OK OK Just ordered my copy 
I admit to having a bit of trouble with this new one at the moment.
Am I the only one? Probably. The musicianship and sound is awesome.
I am not disappointed though, as it's good to get something from someone you like that you don't necessarily agree with. In fact, I'm quite pleased in a way for that reason alone. C'mon Fred, where are you hiding?
Please don't be offended. I'm not done with it yet.
(Me & my big mouth).
Am I the only one? Probably. The musicianship and sound is awesome.
I am not disappointed though, as it's good to get something from someone you like that you don't necessarily agree with. In fact, I'm quite pleased in a way for that reason alone. C'mon Fred, where are you hiding?
Please don't be offended. I'm not done with it yet.
(Me & my big mouth).
quote:
Originally posted by Rasher:
With all due respect, every album is what it is
At heart I very much agree with this sentiment, preferring to take in a musical work with no questions asked. Of course, if the music is lame, I may have a lot of questions. But if the music great, I've got none. I kind of like to sit back and enjoy the show ... not that I'm an inactive listener, but that I surrender.
On the other hand, it's natural to have preferences born of personal taste ... everyone does, as you yourself go on to write:
quote:
What I am _really _waiting for is Fred's wildest outpourings that he would love to do but thinks no-one would buy because it's so mad. I would pay double for that one. And it's in there. We just have to wait. I want to see Fred as no-more-mister-nice-guy. It would be fun
You mean a solo piano mob job?
That's more likely for me in a group setting, using keyboards, which, if you lived where I live, you could hear me do from time to time.
On the other hand, both Dreamhouse and Remember the River are in fact my "wildest outpourings" ... not in the sense that the music itself is wild, but that it's the musical voice closest to my heart and soul.
I've always felt strongly that there is nothing more avant-garde than making exactly the music you hear, no matter how much it may differ from what is conventionally considered avant-garde music.
quote:
Originally posted by Patrick Dixon:
Shit we're not even allowed to have our own taste now!
You're always allowed to have your own taste!
What's not allowed is to taste your own ...
quote:
At the end of the day, any artist is entitled to play what they want, how they want - and I'm entitled to like (and buy) or not like (and not buy) it.
Exactly.
quote:
BTW, I'm not offended - I just hope Fred and Mrs Fred aren't!
Certainly not. It's just that you're wrong.
quote:
Originally posted by Sundance:
OK OK Just ordered my copy
Thanks, Sundance. I hope you dig it.