Bill Frisell - East West

I'm hit-or-miss with Bill - mostly miss, TBH - but this one's a hit.

Mostly because of "East", though, I have to say.

I love and own almost everything Frisell has done, and East/West just furthers the story. Really great.

By the way, Jayd, why East more than West?

Fred

quote:

Originally posted by Colin Lorenson:
Gents,

Lots of CD's bought recently, but the star, the gem, the classic is Bill's latest. East West. A double CD of live concerts fron the East and West coast. Absolutley wonderful jazz / blues .. whatever, a field that he has made his own. If you love guitar, love music, just love Bill, you gotta get this album. Awesome music from an ego-less superstar. Buy it or shame on you.

Colin,

Do you have Frissels's 'Gone, Just Like a Train'?

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000005J5...337?v=glance&s=music

The music really moves like a train.

Haim

Haim,

Gone like a train, is my favourite BF album. To me it's a classic and anyone missing it is missing out. Just totalled them and I've got 20 BF albums, plus some others he plays on.

They're both great, but I prefer West to East.

Fred - saw your question/statement about Bobo Stenson on another thread - get War Orphans, which I think is his best.

I used to rate BF, but since his shift from jazz to Americana, I've rather lost interest. The last albums of his I bought were the one with petrol station on the cover, which was a bit dreary, and the banjo album, even drearier.

Mark S

quote:

Originally posted by fred simon:

By the way, Jayd, why East more than West?

My initial thought was "better tunes", but on further listening, I think I like the journey "East" takes me on. Everywhere he goes, emotionally, tonally, stylistically, seems right on.

"West" is a little too discontinuous for me ("Interlude" and "Goodnight Irene" break the mood for me), and ending on "Tennessee Flattop Box" - well, by the time I get there, that's not where I want to end up.

No denying that the playing is stupendous throughout, though. Great stuff.

quote:

Originally posted by jayd:
I'm hit-or-miss with Bill - mostly miss, TBH - but this one's a hit.
Mostly because of "East", though, I have to say.

I initially bought "Blues Dream" and felt it was hit or miss too, until I bought "East-West." (Blues Dream seems like a soundtrack in search of a film) After E/W I bought "Nashville," and rediscovered "Bill Frisell with Dave Holland and Elvin Jones." Now I hardly go a week without listening to one of these cd's. The only problem is that his output is so huge I don't know where to turn next.

Oh, and I prefer West, except those times when I prefer East. But, I like them both. Sometimes West more than East....
daniel

Fritz is a local, I've gotten to see him a few times in clubs (very lucky!)...My favourite Frisell album is actually a Ginger Baker Trio abum, Going Back Home, w. Charlie Haden on bass; it exemplifies what's great about Bill's electric guitaring. I'll have to get East West; does it include a cover of the Butterfield Blues Band tune?

quote:

Originally posted by bhazen:
Fritz is a local, I've gotten to see him a few times in clubs (very lucky!)...My favourite Frisell album is actually a Ginger Baker Trio abum, Going Back Home, w. Charlie Haden on bass; it exemplifies what's great about Bill's electric guitaring. I'll have to get East West; does it include a cover of the Butterfield Blues Band tune?

Bruce (right?), I've been on the lookout for gigs, but haven't spotted any. Please post or PM me if you hear of any coming up. I'm listening to the Elvin Jones, Dave Holland disc right now, and I keep falling more in love with it -- there's a cover of Mancini's "Moon River" which is superb and features beautfiul soloing by Holland.

East/West has no Butterfield Blues Band covers (that I can identify), but does have a smokin' "Heard it Through the Grape Vine" which leads it off. (The opening chords are like a study in musical deconstruction.) The two discs are recorded live ( Yoshi's = West and Village Vangaurd = East) and the sonics are excellent. The playing is out of this world. Lee Townsend produced, I'm finding him to be petty good at it.
daniel

Daniel

I generally find his gigs via close inspection of the Weekly or the Stranger...his profile remains rather low-key here, often the desired result for a "hometown" player who enjoys renown elsewhere. The Bill Frisell Trio played Jazz Alley a few months back, and I once saw him (solo, with loops etc.) at the old OK Hotel. I'll start a thread for NW fans if I detect an upcoming gig.

Cheers,
Bruce

Colin,

How about:

Fred Herseh + Bill Frisell / Songs We Know /Nonesuch?
I think this is the Frisell I listen to the most.

Regards,

Haim

Just to add my vote, this has been a favourite disc these past months with "West" just edging "East" imho

It just occurred to me that the Frisell album I play the most is Angel Song (on ECM) - Frisell, Lee Konitz, Kenny Wheeler, others. Excellent throughout.

This is supposed to be pretty good too, anyone heard it? Maybe I'll get it today.
dn'l

Okay, so in search of "The Room Above Her" I came across another Paul Motian Trio (Joe Lovano - sax/Frisell - Guitar) recording, "At the Village Vanguard." This one is really good. And with Motian as leader, Frisell has a slightly more subordinate role. Lovano's playing is excellent as well. What amazes me most though is Motian's playing, he's like this body of water, flowing between the two headlands of Lovano and Frisell. Check out "Folk Song for Rosie," which is haunting. It's a JMT Winter & Winter release (80/81).
dan'l

Here 'tis....
dn'l

quote:

What amazes me most though is Motian's playing, he's like this body of water, flowing between the two headlands of Lovano and Frisell

For more understated, but excellent, Motian check out Bobo Stenson's "Goodbye"

Huw

quote:

This is supposed to be pretty good too, anyone heard it? Maybe I'll get it today.

This one is excellent for all the reasons you site for At the Village Vanguard. The playing of Frisell and Lovano is outstanding. I have loved Frisell's creativity and versitility. Much more inventive than the most popular guitarists.

Anthony

smiglass,
I picked it ("I Have the Room Above Her") up on friday. It's incredible. What an amazing trio these guys are.
daniel