listening to…February 15 – March 3, 2013
a couple of things I’ve been listening to lately.
Jonas Hellborg – the Word (Axiom)
Bassist Hellborg on acoustic guitar bass with percussionist Tony Williams and the Soldier String Quartet. Unusual combination of instruments, exotic sounds, great music.
I’d been listening to a lot of Tony Williams last year and somehow missed this one, even though I’ve owned it for years. It holds up pretty good, the mix favors Tony – he’s right up front. I would turn up the other guys a bit, the bass could have a bit more whoomp, Time for a remix from producer Bill Laswell? Playback on a better system improves things considerably.
Anthony Braxton – Beyond Quantum (Tzadik)
One of my favorite recent releases by Anthony Braxton from 2008, with William Parker, bass and Milford Graves, percussion. What a strong set!
Anthony Braxton and Mario Pavone – Duets (1993) (Music & Arts)
There’s a pair of tracks with Braxton on flute, he also plays quite an assortment of horns. Two standards, four by Braxton, two by bassist Pavone.
The Sam Rivers Trio’s Reunion: Live in New York (Pi)
This has been in constant rotation in the car, so back and forth to work, running around town. I’m getting a deeper appreciation of Sam Rivers, multi instrumentalist. I’ve always been crazy about his flute playing, now I marvel at his piano playing and Dave Hollands bass invention.
Russ Lossing, Ed Schuller, Paul Motian – As It Grows (Hat)
I can’t resist yet another Paul Motian recording and this one is great.
ROVA Saxophone Quartet – A Short History (jazzwerkstatt)
Agusti Fernandez – Pianoactivity One (Sirulita)
Paul Hindemith, Glenn Gould – the 3 Piano Sonatas (Sony)
JS Bach, Andreas von Wangenheim – Six Cello Suites (transcribed for guitar) (Arte Nova)
Anders Miolin – Erik Satie, arranged for Alto Guitar (Bis)
Anders Miolin – Ravel: Guitar Transcriptions (Bis)
Frank Zappa – Finer Moments (Barking Pumpkin)
Charlie Haden – “Closeness” Duets (A&M)
Carlos Santana and Alice Coltrane – Divine Light (Columbia/Legacy)
John Coltrane – Cosmic Music (Impulse!)
Jack DeJohnette – Tin Can Alley (ECM)
Jack DeJohnette – Inflation Blues (ECM)
