J*** Query - Haden, Towner, Jarret and Oregon

John, there is another album with the same lineup, Sound and Shadows, and while it's very good (how could it not be?) I don't think it's quite as stellar as Solstice, which really crystallized something in its purest original form. But the followup is very good and I think you'd dig it.

Another favorite Towner is Blue Sun. It's a solo effort, and Towner plays all the parts, which include various guitars, piano, synths, percussion, and French horn. It's more personal, intimate, deeply beautiful and moving. The last track, Rumours Of Rain, is worth the price alone.

Fred

Gary Peacock - Guamba

One of PACE's Desert Island discs which swung me to buy it.

And yes I like it.

The first and title track is a 3 minute bass only tune which normally would not really appeal, I often think that on some albums I have the bass solo can sometimes overstay it's welcome.

Requiem starts off sounding like a typical jazz into from another era but after an eloquent bass solo it turns left with some great blowing reaching a fine peak before restating the opening bars after a drum solo. I like the drumming, for me it stays the right side of keeping the rhythm over being a lead instrument.

There are 2 very rhythmic tracks Thyme Time and Introending, the latter would not be out of place on a contemporary Massive Attack album.

Celina and Gardenia are 2 more lower tempo tracks but with a rough, edgy quality.

Lila, the longest song on the album at 13 minutes starts quietly and then reaches some wonderful peaks especially with some manic interplay between trumpet and sax.

A great album. Perhaps a little colder than I would normally fall in love with. (I always have preferred sax over trumpet. I somehow find sax more uplifting and trumpet more introspective and sad)

I like the drumming here so much though I'm going to go for one of Haim's MA recordings recommendations - Old School as I see it has Peter Erskine on drums.

As was said before this is truly a great forum, I have rarely had so many great CDs in succession with another 5 to go through each one promising to be as good as the next and all of a quality I just do not come across in my normal musical searchings.



SJB

i forgot to mention that i used to be a bass player peacock, holland, and hayden are my faves.

quote:

I like the drumming here so much though I'm going to go for one of Haim's MA recordings recommendations - Old School as I see it has Peter Erskine on drums.

yes, Erskine is an absolute monster on the trap set. i think you will love Billy Kilson's drumming on Dave Holland - "Extended Play - Live at Birdland". the music is a bit "warmer" too. i feel that Dave Holland is the modern day Mingus with his Quintent and Big Band - brilliant music.

PACE

quote:

i think you will love Billy Kilson's drumming on Dave Holland - "Extended Play - Live at Birdland". the music is a bit "warmer" too. i feel that Dave Holland is the modern day Mingus with his Quintent and Big Band - brilliant music.

I'll put that one on my next "buy" list. Where you may favour bass playing I love vibrant drumming, way up in the mix.

I have seen the Bad Plus live twice and the drummer is amazing, but it's not captured as well at all on record.
I also saw Brad Mehldau live and the drummer was again fantastic and the album i got at the gig was a sore disappointment in this regard.


Regards
John



SJB

SJB,

Peter Erskine is one of my fave drummers. His CD Time Being is one of my very favourite ECM recordings and well worth checking out.

It is a beautiful trio CD with Palle Danielsson on Bass and the wonderful John Taylor on Piano.

This is quiet, spacey, late night drumming - subtle touches of the cymbals, gorgeous piano melodies. Just an excellent CD.

Adrian

Hi All,
I am ecm lover from over 15 years, I buy ecm records and ecm new series (classical).
Time Being is one of my favourite records, too
I notice that many people like Oracle by Towner and Peacock. But for me "A closer view" with the same artists is even better. Guitar and bass is great in this conception. But not only Towner/Peacock make for ECM duo like that. You should try Charlie Haden and Egberto Gismonti "In Montreal". Beautiful CD. Look at Gismonti - he is one of my favourite artist (e.g. "Infancia").
Jarrett is the Master, so I think every his records (solo project, trio, scandinaviaqn quartets, etc) is special. I can't tell what I like the most.
I recomend the record of Arild Andersen/Nana Vasnoncelos/Ralph Towner "If you look far enough" - I love this CD.
best for all and sorry for my english

quote:

Originally posted by Sloop John B:

I also saw Brad Mehldau live and the drummer was again fantastic and the album i got at the gig was a sore disappointment in this regard.

John, when did you see Mehldau and which album did you pick up?

If you saw him recently, but picked up an older album, it might be two different drummers.

Until recently, the drummer was Jorge Rossy but now it's Jeff Ballard, who is only on the latest album, Day Is Done. I dig both drummers, but some folks prefer Ballard … Rossy was more of an acquired taste. Ballard is fantastic, though.

Fred

quote:

Originally posted by Fred simon:

quote:

Originally posted by Sloop John B:

I also saw Brad Mehldau live and the drummer was again fantastic and the album i got at the gig was a sore disappointment in this regard.

John, when did you see Mehldau and which album did you pick up?

If you saw him recently, but picked up an older album, it might be two different drummers.

Until recently, the drummer was Jorge Rossy but now it's Jeff Ballard, who is only on the latest album, Day Is Done. I dig both drummers, but some folks prefer Ballard … Rossy was more of an acquired taste. Ballard is fantastic, though.

Fred

Hi Fred,

I saw the trio early February so it's Jeff Ballard I'm talking about.

I was sitting about as far away from him s I am my computer screen now and he was amazing. Over all it was one of the best concerts I've been at.

I know he doesn't like being compared to Bill Evans, but at one stage on the second of two beautiful sublime ballads I couldn't help feeling this is what it was like at the village vanguard.


The album day is done is wonderful but I don't think the drums were captured well enough.


Regards
John



SJB

quote:

Originally posted by parmenides:
I recomend the record of Arild Andersen/Nana Vasnoncelos/Ralph Towner "If you look far enough" - I love this CD.

I agree with on this one. This was one of my earliest ECM purchases some 13 years ago. The combination of perucssion from Vasconceles, Towner's beautiful guitar playing and the fast, tuneful bass from Andersen is excellent.

This is very different from other Arild Andersen relases such as Sagn which have a more Nordic feel to them.

Cheers
Adrian

Old School - Peter Epstein/Scott Colley/ Peter Erskine

This is an album that I'm finding it hard to formulate an opinion on.

It is well recorded, reminiscent of another age even, reminds me of Ellington's Back to Back in this respect.
The alto sax has a beautiful mellow tone to it, I'm not sure of this is down to the one point ( 2 microphone) recording technique or simply the tone that Epstein possesses.

It starts of a good pace with Vitamin C but this track ( for me) loses its way with a bass and drum solo in the middle which I find at odds to the rest of the track.

This feeling lingers about the place for the rest of the album, even though there are some very good tracks therein especially Zelzah, After Tomorrow and Improvisation 1.

Overall perhaps a bit too much noodles for my liking and a feeling that Erskine particularly is playing well within his ability. For me this album needs a little more pace and attack, more rhythmic drumming. The drumming for me falls slightly on the wrong side of ornamental at time rather than being propulsive.

I just can't help feeling as good as this album is, and it only probably has me being slightly negative because of the company it has found itself in lately, it could have been better.

It does sound good, easily as good as ECM's standard but not above it to my ears.


.................... Moving on to Magico ( in the background for the first time as I type and sounding very promising)



SJB

could also be in the "what do you listen..." thread, but it feels cosier here...


Enjoy magico ! It's a great album !

cheers
Stefan

This thread could go on a while, I've just ordered.........................

Ralph Towner
Anthem
8001743

Ralph Towner Gary Peacock
A Closer View
8001602
.
Arild Andersen
If You Look Far Enough
8001493

Gary Peacock<br>Ralph Towner
Oracle
8001490

Ralph Towner<br>Gary Burton
Slide Show
8001306

John Abercrombie<br>Ralph Towner
Sargasso Sea
8001080 ...
Dave Holland Quintet
Extended Play. Live at Birdland
8641864



SJB

what I mean with "cosier" is that this thread is a place with exactly my fav music and all my heroes... Already the thread title sounds like the answer to the question "what artists do you have most CD's of and did you see most ?"

great !
Stefan

Fred Simon,

The LP of yours that my friend had for years is Short Story.

I went tonight with him to the Chicago Cultural Center to hear Southern Indian music (electric mandolins and percussions). I enjoyed the music when they played it gently, otherwise, the electric instruments became too bright and screetchy. Amplification was powerful enough to be heard in India...

Regards,

Haim

quote:

Originally posted by sjust:
what I mean with "cosier" is that this thread is a place with exactly my fav music and all my heroes...great !
Stefan

And I thought, Stefan, that the members of the German National football team were your heroes. Three weeks from now, are you going to have any time for music or are you going to be busy screaming GOALLLLLL with the rest of the world.

Regards and good night, (and don't get caught off-side)

Haim

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sloop John B:


Old School - Peter Epstein/Scott Colley/ Peter Erskine

This is an album that I'm finding it hard to formulate an opinion on.

John,

I love Erskine's 'understated' work that sound so sparse and so to the point. It is Peter Epstein and his sax that I always found boring in a sense that he always remained on the surface with hardly any tone variation. I do not listen to his albums too often.

Regards,

haim

sloop john,

i think you've started an excellent thread here. my "need to buy list" is growing.

glad to see that you ordered "Oracle" and "Extended Play".

Peacock and Towner sound like they're dancing with one another. just beautiful duets.

Kilson's drumming style is different from Erskine, but they both have this ability to propel/drive the music that just really sucks me into it in a near hypnotic fashion. Kilson and Holland are soooo telepathic with one another. this quintet is a tour de force - very muscular. i need to buy more, but this double album is so satisfying, i'm having a hard time moving on - it deserves more attention. i agree with Fred, a lot of this music deserves to be cranked up, and this album is no exception. it knocks me on my ass everytime.

PACE

Magico - Charlie Haden / Jan Garbarek / Egberto Gismonti

A truly wonderful and enchanting album.

The first 2 tracks are simply marvelous, not a note out of place. I presume this is side 1 on record and what a side one. Bailarina is a track of rare beauty - phenomenal
Side 2 whilst still of an outstanding quality does not do it as much for me. I think I prefer Gismonti on guitar and he plays piano on 2 of the 3 on this side. It does end strongly with Palhaco.

I had thought when I looked at the list of players and saw no drummer that this wouldn't be for me but even on the slowest tracks -Silence- there is still a rhythm allied to a beautiful melodic slowness.

Released in 1980 when I was 14 and The Police, The Jam , The Rats, Blondie, Squeeze, Madness, Specials,Clash et al were my mainstay. It would not have meant much to me then, I'm thrilled to find it now, it will be much played.

Next up either Belonging - Jarrett or Oracle - Peacock / Towner, I can't decide which



SJB

quote:

Originally posted by Sloop John B:


Magico - Charlie Haden / Jan Garbarek / Egberto Gismonti

A truly wonderful and enchanting album.

The first 2 tracks are simply marvelous, not a note out of place. I presume this is side 1 on record and what a side one. Bailarina is a track of rare beauty - phenomenal
Side 2 whilst still of an outstanding quality does not do it as much for me. I think I prefer Gismonti on guitar and he plays piano on 2 of the 3 on this side. It does end strongly with Palhaco.

I had thought when I looked at the list of players and saw no drummer that this wouldn't be for me but even on the slowest tracks -Silence- there is still a rhythm allied to a beautiful melodic slowness.

Released in 1980 when I was 14 and The Police, The Jam , The Rats, Blondie, Squeeze, Madness, Specials,Clash et al were my mainstay. It would not have meant much to me then, I'm thrilled to find it now, it will be much played.

Next up either Belonging - Jarrett or Oracle - Peacock / Towner, I can't decide which



SJB

John,

I think you might like this duo of 1989.

Regards,

Haim

I bought both these CDs after recommendations here; both are excellent. I prefer Gismonti's piano to his guitar though.

Nigel

quote:

Originally posted by hungryhalibut:
I bought both these CDs after recommendations here; both are excellent. I prefer Gismonti's piano to his guitar though.

Nigel

Nigel,

I much prefer Egberto's piano In Montreal probably because it adds much more to the duo sound (versus the two strings instruments). In Magico I like his piano and guitar equally.

Another excellent album from the same montreal jazz festival is with the Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba on the Verve label.

Regards,

Haim

quote:

Originally posted by Sloop John B:


Magico - Charlie Haden / Jan Garbarek / Egberto Gismonti

A truly wonderful and enchanting album.

(...)
Silence- there is still a rhythm allied to a beautiful melodic slowness.

(...)
SJB

SJB,
Since I watch Charlie Haden, I'm on a quest to

1. see/hear him play wherever I can
2. Collect all versions of "Silence" that he's recorded (currently counting 10)

I somehow agree with your opinion on Gismonti's piano versus guitar playing, he has developed SUCH a rich variety of sounds on his guitar(s) that some of the technical incapabilities he displays on both instruments are less annoying when he plays guitar. This is "complaining on a very high level", though, because the moments, when EG enchants me with his playing are a massive majority over those where I "sneeze". Go, see him live, if you can, and you'll witness an evening of real music making - both on guitar(s) and piano...

Enjoy
Stefan
Haim, I absolutely agree with both your recommendations, and like to add: Go and get the whole Haden/Montreal lot. Not a single evening is bad (but a few are sold out...)

I've a couple of the Haden & Rubalcaba albums, and particulalyly like Nocturne. I was unaware of the rest of the Montreal set, so have ordered the Haden /Motian/Rubalcaba - only £6.43 from Caiman in the US. It's nice to keep the postie in work!!

Nigel

quote:

Originally posted by sjust:



I somehow agree with your opinion on Gismonti's piano versus guitar playing, he has developed SUCH a rich variety of sounds on his guitar(s) that some of the technical incapabilities he displays on both instruments are less annoying when he plays guitar. This is "complaining on a very high level", though, because the moments, when EG enchants me with his playing are a massive majority over those where I "sneeze". ..

Indeed Stefan,
It's like saying I prefer one Picasso over another. Both are excellent, just one I prefer.



SJB

Peacock / Towner - Oracle



Bass and guitar for a whole album. One wonders will all the tunes blend into one, will they be full of solos high on virtuosity but low on musicality, or will it be some kind of bland soundtrack MOR mish mash?


No, this is a superlative album. At times the playing is like hearing one homogenous super guitar, others there is a subtle call and answer, a wondrous synergy.

At no stage is a solo too long too introverted and although many tunes are quite traditional in structure, tune - solos - back to tune, there is nothing even mildly formulaic about this album.

It may be my rock upbringing but I really love this combination. Guitar and bass seem to go somewhere else entirely than a piano and bass would go. I like that destination and the rhythm and mood that takes it there.

I'm thrilled to have "a closer view" in the pile in front of me itching to get played but Oracle will get a few more listens before that.



SJB