HurdAudio Rotation: Passion and Poetry

Bill Frisell: Floratone. 2007. Blue Note Records: 0946 3 93879 2 2.

Bill Frisell: electric guitar, acoustic guitar, loops, vocals
Matt Chamberlain: drums, percussion, loops
Tucker Martine: production
Lee Townsend: production
with guests -
Viktor Krauss: acoustic bass, electric bass
Ron Miles: cornet
Eyvind Kang: viola

A Bill Frisell project that allows the production talents of Tucker Martine and Lee Townsend to flex their chops as all manner of overdubbing and processing is mixed in with some of the heaviest jazz chops on the planet. It's not easy to balance the qualities that make a good studio record out of players who can rip things pretty hard in a live setting. Jazz has traditionally stood on its own through recordings of the live experience that bring out the real time interaction between master players. The resulting sound on Floratone doesn't exactly invite the listener to get their freak on out on the dance floor. But the sense of time that unfolds in these gritty, layered pieces is a revelation in these textures. The "in the pocket" feel these musicians bring to the stage is expertly preserved and built upon.

McCoy Tyner: The Real McCoy. 1967 (re-issued in 1999). Blue Note Records: 7243 4 97807 2 9.

McCoy Tyner: piano
Joe Henderson: tenor saxophone
Ron Carter: bass
Elvin Jones: drums

There are few things that equal the hook and groove of "Passion Dance." The joyous appeal of that track alone is enough to mark The Real McCoy as a must have in any serious jazz collection. Followed up by four other outstanding tracks this is simply one of those Blue Note recordings where four outstanding musicians went into a session and came out with a great album. Though there is the heart break that comes from the unfortunate fade out at the end of "Passion Dance" that leaves the ears hungry for the unfettered, non-duration limited jam that is suggested underneath as the levels pull down artificially.

Harry Partch: 17 Lyrics of Li Po. 1995. Tzadik: TZ 7012.

Stephen Kalm: intoning voice
Ted Mook: tenor violin

The intoning voice was Partch's elegant solution for vocal music that remained true to the natural, spoken inflections of speech and its rhythms. Allowing for melodic contours to coalesce around the substance of poetry as well as the character of its narrator. This particular set of songs ranks as one of my personal favorites. An example of how to adapt the voice. And more importantly, how to not adapt the voice to a musical setting. One can almost picture Harry Partch quietly composing these revolutionary songs in the evenings in New Orleans as he toiled as a dish washer by day. Humble origins from a celebrated maverick.

HurdAudio Rotation: Real Frisell, Real McCoy, Real Li Po

Bill Frisell: Floratone. 2007. Blue Note Records: 0946 3 93879 2 2.

Bill Frisell: electric guitar, acoustic guitar, loops, vocals
Matt Chamberlain: drums, percussion, loops
Tucker Martine: recording, post-processing, production
Lee Townsend: recording, post-processing, production
Viktor Krauss: acoustic bass, electric bass
Ron Miles: cornet
Eyvind Kang: viola

There hasn't been a Lee Townsend produced Bill Frisell recording that hasn't glazed these ears over with a fine mist of pure joy. And this one is even better than most. With Matt Chamberlain and Bill Frisell improvising some initial tracks/layers as raw materials for Tucker Martine and Lee Townsend to play with (working with Frisell improvisations is a bit like cooking with obscenely fresh ingredients) along with additional material recorded once the initial layers were assembled, Floratone brings a sophisticated re-mix/studio mentality without obscuring the sublime flavors or spontenaity of the initial source material. This is an unmistakable Frisell sound, complete with all the twists and turns this master guitarist is known for, presented with a slightly altered perspective. The result may be one of his best recordings yet.

McCoy Tyner: The Real McCoy. 1967 (Rudy Van Gelder edition from 1999). Blue Note Records: 7243 4 97807 2 9.

McCoy Tyner: piano
Joe Henderson: tenor saxophone
Ron Carter: bass
Elvin Jones: drums

One of the classic piano quartet recordings of all time. Each of the five Tyner compositions has its own hook that sinks deep into the ear drums with the most infectious syncopation and melodic turns imaginable. Even the ballad, "Search for Peace" has that great bass part at the onset as Ron Carter bends the notes, leaving a deep impression on the soul in the process. Then there is the playing. McCoy Tyner, Joe Henderson, Ron Carter, Elvin Jones... if each of these figures doesn't individually tug at your jazz loving heart then you haven't been paying attention.

Harry Partch: 17 Lyrics of Li Po. 1995. Tzadik: TZ 7012.

Stephen Kalm: intoning voice
Ted Mook: tenor violin

With an attentive ear tuned to the harmonies of spoken voice and its natural rhythms, Harry Partch found a troubadour voice that allows the poetry to emerge unscathed by musical treatment. These pieces form a substantial touchstone in the HurdAudio psyche as spinning this eerily perfect performances (Stephen Kalm practically channels an exact vocal match of Partch's own intoning sound) adds more layers of appreciation to these early works.

HurdAudio Rotation: Derek, Gunda and McCoy

Derek Bailey/Cyro Baptista: Derek. 2006. Amulete Records: amt 023.

Derek Bailey: guitar
Cyro Baptista: percussion, voice

This one is a live set from New York's Tonic recorded in 2003. There's an extra element of reactive-ness between these free improvisers that is ever present in the sound. Unfamiliar to one another and unrehearsed, Baptista throws some interesting curves at Derek Bailey as the contrast between the guitar-centric sound against the timbrally varied voice and percussion comes into sharp relief. Bailey's playing provides a sense of gravity that keeps Baptista's whimsical language in check while that same whimsey ("Fred Estaire, I don't care") provides a buoyancy to Bailey's introversion.

Gunda Gottschalk: Wassermonde. 2002. Elephant Records: 002.

Gunda Gottschalk: violin, viola

The contours of the bow sawing across four adjacent strings takes on a raw physicality in the unique improvised language of Gunda Gottschalk. The arching form of this hour-long performance feels composed while the exquisite details take on a spontaneous vibrancy. With a tone that can be heart-stopping in its frailty or richly augmented with Gottschalk's voice surging into the sonic image this is a performance that balances thrilling aesthetic territory with composed intention. The moment-to-moment details are flawlessly molded into an overall form that makes for an intense and satisfying listening experience.

McCoy Tyner: The Real McCoy. 1967 - reissued in 1999. Blue Note Records: 7243 4 97807 2 9.

McCoy Tyner: piano
Joe Henderson: tenor saxophone
Ron Carter: bass
Elvin Jones: drums

This album was a tangible source of escape through hot summers spent sweeping floors in New Jersey while waiting for the next school year to commence. With headphones providing a distraction from dirt and humidity, "Passion Dance" allowed the mind and heart to soar. The Real McCoy still holds that same transcendent soaring quality as one of the great jazz records of all time. Tyner's solo on his ballad "Search for Peace" is an inspiration as a fellow ivory practitioner. This is a quartet of excellence in top form and a document for the ages.