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Bill Frisell's new album with bassist Dave Holland and drummer Elvin Jones is not the blowing sessions some might have expected or hoped for with musicians of the calibre of Dave Holland and, especially,
Elvin Jones—best known for his propulsive percussion behind the John Coltrane Quartet in the early 1960s. Instead, this album is more in line with Frisell's other recent work, which is low key and meditative and gets its mood from its use of texture and layers of sound and refers to traditional American music as much as to jazz. The compositions here are mainly ones by Frisell that he's recorded before.
The album was recorded in two days in the studio with the trio with some acoustic and electric guitar overdubs by Frisell added later. There are several short bass and drum solos, but none are extensive.
I would like to hear Frisell let loose again, but this is still a beautiful album and recommended for those who've like his work over the last few years.
— Alan Lankin, December 2001
Bill Frisell with Dave Holland and Elvin Jones
Release Date:
2 October 2001
C/D/E is a co-operative group, founded in 1996, of three of today's finest improvising jazz musicians. All three musicians have played with cornetist and composer Bobby Bradford. The trio wanted him to join them for their first concert, but it couldn't be worked out and they've remained a trio.
Drummer Andrew Cyrille has led his own groups on a series of fine Black Saint recordings. He was in Cecil Taylor's group for a decade and has also recorded with many other top musicians. Multi-reed player Marty Ehrlich has been a leader for several labels, most often for Enja. He has also performed and recorded with Muhal Richard Abrams, Anthony Braxton, Julius Hemphill, Andrew Hill and John Carter. And bassist Mark Dresser has performed with Anthony Braxton, Ray Anderson, Tim Berne, Gerry Hemingway, Dave Douglas and John Zorn.
Each of the three musicians brought some good tunes for this session. The album also includes the beautiful and haunting composition "Aeolus" by the late Thomas Chapin, which features flute and bowed bass.
The album features mature composing and deeply felt playing and improvising—the musicians' are completely in sync, with concentrated listening ocurring in the group's interaction. Rewarding listening!
- Alan Lankin, December 2001
C/D/E
1. View from the Point (Ehrlich) - 6:38 / 2. Aeolus (Chapin) - 3:32 / 3. BBJC (Dresser) - 5:10 / 4. A Simple Melody (Cyrille) - 7:00 / 5. For Bradford (Dresser) - 4:04 / 6. Aubade (Cyrille) - 3:23 / 7. C/D/E (Ehrlich) - 2:19 / 8. Point of View (Ehrlich) - 4:30 / 9. AM 2 1/2 (Cyrille) - 7:06 / 10. 2 for Cyrille (Ehrlich) - 6:43
Brad Mehldau's
new release may be his best yet; with his trio fully in tune with each other. The two-CD set was recorded live at the Village Vanguard and is a mixture of and originals. The playing is lyrical and romantic and Mehldau's tendency to sometimes spin rococco complexities is under control.
- Alan Lankin, December 2001
Progression
1. The More I See You (Gordon/Warren) - 10:06 / 2. Dream's Monk (Mehldau) - 11:21 / 3. The Folks Who Live on the Hill (Hammerstein/Kern) - 9:50 / 4. Alone Together (Dietz/Schwartz) - 15:01 / 5. It Might as Well Be Spring (Hammerstein/Rodgers) - 2:48 / 6. Cry Me a River (Hamilton) - 8:50 / 7. River Man (Drake) - 11:30 / 8. Quit (Mehldau) - 7:14 / 9. Secret Love (Fain/Webster) - 10:08 / 10. Sublation (Mehldau) - 14:58 / 11. Resignation (Mehldau) - 8:39 / 12. Long Ago and Far Away (Gershwin/Kern) - 14:50 / 13. How Long Has This Been Going On? (Gershwin/Gershwin) - 10:45
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last update 28 December 2001