CD Review: Tord Gustavsen - What was said.

Tord Gustavsen Piano, Simin Tander Vocal,  Jarle Vespestad Drums

(Review by Steve H)

Well this is Nordic jazz with a twist. Gustavsen teams up with long-time collaborator drummer Jarl Vespestad and Afghan-German vocalist Simin Tander.  The core of this album is traditional Norwegian hymns but translated into Pashto. The process of which, according to Gustavsen, has given the music a far more multi faith and spiritual feel than the originals which to him are his ‘standards’.

An English version of Beat poet Kenneth Rexroth’s I Refuse is quite stirring. There are also English versions of the verse of Sufi mystic Jalal al_Din Rumi. As a third strand to this album there are several instrumental only pieces which have a far more familiar jazz feel to them.

This music is as far away from the jazz that evolved out of New Orleans as the Mississippi Delta is to the Norwegian fjords.

The combination of Tander’s haunting vocals juxtaposed with Gustavsen’s delicate piano and Vespestad sympathetic drums make this a gentle, and contemplative experience. Whatever your personal faith happens to be either spiritually or musically there is enough on offer to make this a thoroughly worthwhile listen.

As Rumi wrote in the Middle Ages ‘This love we feel pours through us like a giveaway song. The source of now is here.’

Steve

Tord Gustavsen - What was said. is currently available on ECM  475 8697.