What are you listening to right now? And why? (VOL IV)

Great acoustic guitar set at the beginning. Some hysterical crowd spoiling in background

First listening session in three weeks...

quote:

Originally posted by munch:

Still haven't given Porcupine Tree a decent listen Stu. What albums do you recommend to start with.

quote:

Originally posted by markah:

Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto - Insen

A great recorded act.
I do remember the first time i listened to that "The wire" tapper.

Ewen - my favourite is Fear of a Blank Planet - at the heavy end of the repertoire but a superb album. Others may disagree. From their earlier phase, well The Sky Moves Sideways is a fine album.

quote:

Originally posted by munch:

quote:

Originally posted by Gianluigi Mazzorana:

quote:

Originally posted by markah:

Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto - Insen

A great recorded act.
I do remember the first time i listened to that "The wire" tapper.

Love the packing nice clean lines.
Is it Jazz?

I love you Stuart.

quote:

Originally posted by munch:
Is it Jazz?

Electronic/experimental. With Sakamoto on piano.

From the BBC website...

...beautiful, rewarding music which only gradually reveals its subtleties...
by Colin Buttimer
09 May 2005
Alva Noto is the operating alias of Carsten Nicolai, who, together with Frank Bretschneider and Olaf Bender, form the musical triumvirate that is Raster Noton Archiv Für Ton Und Nichtton. The label releases a spectrum of electronica that ranges from abstract to ultra-minimal. The roots of much of its output, together with its frequently attractive packaging, might be traced as much to fine art movements like Minimalism and Suprematism as the musical futurism of Detroit techno or Kraftwerk's negotiation of the man/machine interface.
Insen is heir to Vrioon (2003), Alva Noto's collaboration with Japanese multi-instrumentalist Ryuichi Sakamoto. Both represent something of a departure from the ascetic bent of their peers. Both explore the potential for interaction and tension between electronic and acoustic instrumentation, the latter taking form in Sakamoto's piano. This relationship lies at the core of Insen and continues Vrioon's cool melancholia in subtler, even more streamlined fashion. If each part of the marriage were isolated into constituent parts, they might prove too clinical or precious, but together a delicate vibrancy is created. The air-borne reverberations of the acoustic piano combine, impact and dissolve with digital loops, prods and waverings.
On "Aurora" notes are sustained and released as if Sakamoto were bidding a final, unwilling farewell to each one. On "Morning" he prods rising arpeggios gently as if afraid they might shatter. At the same time, echoing electronic streams and trembling resonances complement the pianist's performance. Such is the sympathy of these elements that, moment by moment, the sense of a remarkably unified form is created. This is the initial impression at least. However, the association proves to be a mutable one. At times, as on "Logic Moon" - the piano becomes so enswathed in its own gossamer-thin feedback that it seems to disappear like a receding, fog-bound figure. Later, the piano's surging conviction is undercut by subtle percussive glitches which suggest a delicate but troubling dysfunction which prompts examination of the cd player to ensure the counter is passing in regular time. The resulting creative interplay makes for beautiful, rewarding music which only gradually reveals its subtleties.

On ECM - Nik Bartsch - warming up for tomorrows concert in London.

On ECM - Marcin Wasilewski Trio

quote:

Originally posted by Lontano:
On ECM - Nik Bartsch - warming up for tomorrows concert in London.

Not jealous at all

I was there for this one though

quote:

Originally posted by Huwge:

quote:

Originally posted by Lontano:
On ECM - Nik Bartsch - warming up for tomorrows concert in London.

Not jealous at all

I was there for this one though

Now that would have been good. Both Petrucciani and NHOP. Never got to see either of them.....

Early album from E.S.T/Esbjorn Svensson Trio - Winter in Venice

You cannot beat a good, inventive Scandinavian Piano Trio IMHO

The new pretenders to the vacant European crown (vacated by EST)

Helge Lien Trio - Hello Troll



A little like Macca, throwing himself into wedlock with Heather Mills so soon after Linda's death, it seems somehow just wrong to begin extolling the joys of yet another new Scandinavian piano trio. The sense of loss at Esbjorn Svensson's passing last year is still palpable. Surely to fall for another bunch of utterly tasteful, technically dazzling, modal merchants is just a tad fickle and unfaithful? Well, maybe, but unfortunately Hello Troll counters any such qualms by sheer dint of its brilliance. Face it, these guys are here to stay, and you WILL fall for them.
In fact, apart from the more ardent Norwegian watchers out there and a few Late Junction listeners you may not realise that pianist Helge Lien along with bass player Frode Berg and drummer Knut Aalefjær have been around for a fair while. Hello Troll is their sixth album in seven years and marks that crucial point where a band that know both their chops and each other finally ascend to a level of playing that on the surface looks easy and yet remains stunning.
The first couple of tracks do, in fact, put you in mind of the kind of fast-paced Jarrettisms that EST were so adept at, yet to call HLT derivative is a huge disservice. Lien's modal approach owes as much to the original source, Bill Evans, as it does any of his fellow near-countrymen. By track three (Radio) Berg's bowed bass propels this mysterious number into unknown territory. Like the cover image of a dark forest's interior, this is interior music made by men who, like most Norwegians, hold a deep respect for the pristine wilderness that surrounds them.
The dancier numbers here: Troozee, Diverted Dance or Snurt, contain enough catchy riffs to make them trusted friends upon repeated listens, while on Halla Troll Lien's use of dissonance is a fabulous counterpoint to the jagged time signature.
By the gorgeous closing In The Wind Somewhere you've forgotten that there ever was an Esbjorn, Brad Meldhau, Tord Gustavsen or whoever. This is a world perfectly created by Lien and his pals. Get over it and just enjoy...

Played numerous times this week on the ipod. A real classic album this. I think with most of the rock releases from new bands these days that is hard to say, but this is an album that will be played for years to come.

Lontano,

I'm going to see these guys on Sunday, not heard any of their stuff, what can I expect?

Regards

Nic

quote:

Originally posted by Lontano:
On ECM - Marcin Wasilewski Trio

Susan Tedeschi - Hope and Desire

quote:

Originally posted by nicnaim:
Lontano,

I'm going to see these guys on Sunday, not heard any of their stuff, what can I expect?

Regards

Nic

Nic - I saw them last night. You won't get much chat - the piano does all the talking. I think you will be pleased. They were very good indeed. Quite accessible music - many of the tunes quiet and full of atmosphere along with a few work outs as well. Recommended. Their albums are worth buying.

Here is the 4 star review I read on the train home in the Evening Standard of their show the night before I saw them. Enjoy.

Introduced to the world by trumpet star Tomasz Stanko, Marcin Wasilewski’s piano trio is becoming hailed as a world-class unit in its own right. ECM record-buyers love their albums and believe fame would have come sooner had these Polish musicians not borne such difficult names for Western Europeans. To some British shoppers, Wasilewski, Slawomir Kurkiewicz (double-bass) and Michal Miskiewicz (drums) read like the bottom line of an optician’s test-card.

Jazz, though, is a global language and these three speak it with exceptional fluency and eloquence. Developed from the last great Miles Davis acoustic quintets, with bows to the trios of McCoy Tyner and Keith Jarrett, their music converts rigid form into glorious freedom in the most sophisticated way. Delicate yet hard-swinging, their time-feel is somehow loose yet tight.
Stanko, himself a master improviser, commented recently that after seven years they are still getting better. Last night there was not the slightest sign of staleness. Indeed, they were clearly enjoying trying to read each other’s minds. On originals new (The Cat) and old (The First Touch) the interplay of sonorous bass, probing piano and discreetly rumbling drums was remarkably intuitive. On an altogether deeper level, too, than similar lineups involving Brad Mehldau, the late Esbjorn Svensson or the Bad Plus.
Wasilewski is grievously underrated. His touch is light yet his notes sing with mysterious gravitas. His ideas are complex yet direct, a pleasure for any listener to follow. In his world the yin and yang of jazz both have their place. Quite an achievement.

Love Holon and Stoa is down for buying this month Adrian. Enjoy the gig.

quote:

Originally posted by ewemon:


Love Holon and Stoa is down for buying this month Adrian. Enjoy the gig.

Thanks Ewen - Stoa is a very good album. Where did you pick up your other Bartsch albums? I see them on his website. Do you have another source. Maybe I will be able to get some at the show.

For the second time today.