Bill Frisell (guitar); Thomas Morgan (double bass).
(Review by Chris).
A curious ECM
offering in the seldom-heard format of a guitar/double bass duo, recorded live
at the Village Vanguard, NYC. The guitar is in the experienced hands of the
veteran ECM house guitarist of the 80s, Bill Frisell, the bass in the capable
hands of the younger Thomas Morgan, whose prolific output includes a lush
contribution to the recent stylish Avec Le Temps with Giovanni Guidi.
The album
comprises varied covers, with the title track and Pannonica by
Thelonious Monk at the core. Epistrophy emerges from seemingly
random off-kilter plucking and strumming, and epitomizes Frisell’s
sophisticated, oblique approach here. Billy Strayhorn’s Lush Life and All in Fun by Kern/Hammerstein are of an even older vintage and
receive a more delay-laden treatment, as does a stately version of You
Only Live Twice, all well received by the audience. Paul
Motian’s Mumbo Jumbo is more free fiddly fretwork, with tricky
timing tossed in for good measure.
Overall, not
a groundbreaking release, more of a low key listen for the guitar geek or dinner
party. I have to say I was disappointed, not having listened much to Frisell
since the 80’s when I had him down as the unpredictable one of three US
“fusion” guitarists (with Abercombie and Scofield). Nowadays he has a
reputation for “noodling”, but back in the day he was less restrained and his
oblique lines meshed excitingly in contrast with angular and more brutal
bandmates, such as on the excellent 1988 Look Out For Hope.
I won’t be
making the trip, but he plays London's Cadogan Hall in October - I’m sure he’ll be compelling live.
Chris Kilsby
Available now on ECM 2626
Buy/see here. 
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