Ketil Bjornstad ... for Fred Simon

Posted by: Colin Lorenson on 02 March 2004

Fred, to repay you for putting me onto Jonatha may I recommend:

Ketil Bjornstad - New Life

A solo piano re-recording of many of his earlier pieces. This is such a beautiful album that I'm sure you, and anyone else, will like it (if you don't have it already of course).

Cheers

Posted on: 02 March 2004 by fred simon

Thanks for the tip, Colin. However, can't seem to find it for sale anywhere.

Posted on: 02 March 2004 by Colin Lorenson

Try A&B Sound website

http://www.absound.ca/

An excellent source of cheap CD's and they stock, or can get hold of, lots of obscure stuff. Search by artist for all their albums.

Cheers

Posted on: 20 April 2004 by Mike Hanson

I just received this from ABSound, and I must say that it's quite lovely (especially for those late night listening sessions). Other albums in the same vein are Keith Jarret's "The Melody at Night, With You", as well as Jim Hall's and Pat Metheny's slightly more energentic self-titled outing.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Posted on: 20 April 2004 by Colin Lorenson

Mike,

Glad you like it. Hock compared it too the Jarrett album too but was a bit sniffy about it. Notoriously hard to please is our Hock.

Comparing the two I prefer New Life. It's also a better recording, and without the tuneless grunting as well.

In a similar vein search for Vasillis Tsabropolous - Achirana - a recent purchase and an absolutely stunning piano trio album from ECM in their usual style. His solo album is great as well but I'm at work and can't remember it's name. Doh!

Colin Lorenson

Colin Lorenson

I'm just feeling that way. I don't know why.

Posted on: 20 April 2004 by fred simon

Thanks for the info, Colin. Just ordered it from A&B. Looking forward to hearing it.

Posted on: 21 April 2004 by Mike Hanson

quote:
Originally posted by Colin Lorenson:
Comparing the two I prefer New Life. It's also a better recording, and without the tuneless grunting as well.

As Jarret is playing all jazz standards (IIRC), his album strikes me more as "classic jazz", with a strong nostalgic bent. In contrast, Bjornstad's "New Life" does, indeed, sound newer. In fact, some might construe it as occasionally flirting with New Age

, although almost any improvisational piano work could be stamped with this label at some point. (Jarret has certainly fallen into this trap as well.)

As to Jarret's vocalizations, I notice them, but they don't put me off as they do some people. In fact, sometimes they add that special spice that makes the performance seem that much more passionate. Keep in mind, though, that I've always preferred animated classical pianists over their stiff-backed brethren.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-