REVIEW
All About Jazz
January 26, 2011
By John Kelman
001
The Live Download Series kicks off with a group that's never
seen the light of day on record, but consists of a combination of longtime
friends and then-new acquaintances, who would go on to become regulars
in the ensuing years. 2004 may have been the year of Unspeakable (Nonesuch),
Frisell's Grammy Award-winning, turntable and sample-driven collaboration
with producer Hal Willner, but there's none of that album's material
to be found on this performance with Jenny Scheinman, cornetist Ron
Miles, bassist Viktor Krauss and drummer Matt Chamberlain.
There's the opportunity to hear an early version of the vamp-driven "Lazy
Robinson," which wouldn't appear on a commercial release until 2008's
History, Mystery (Nonesuch); and a lengthy version of "Blues for Los
Angeles" that, with Miles' recklessly visceral opening solo, transcends
the original trio version on 1998's Gone, Just Like a Train (Nonesuch),
and also suggests why, with his lazy, behind-the-beat drumming, Frisell
would reunite with Chamberlain for 2007's experiment in sonic collage,
Floratone (Blue Note), that's due for a second installment, sometime
in 2011.
The quintet's version of the folksy "Lonesome" is more buoyant than
either the original, acoustic guitar-driven version on Lookout for
Hope, or the more electrified take on Gone, Just Like a Train, with
Scheinman's solo an early reason why she'd quickly become a regular
collaborator. There's also an early appearances of alt-folker Lucinda
Williams' lyrical "Ventura," which has never appeared on a commercial
Frisell release; ditto Bob Dylan's "Masters of War," which shows
up on other Download Series releases. Driven by Chamberlain's firm
backbeat, it's a showcase for Frisell's remarkable interpretive ability
to take a simple song and, through his quirky, outré harmonies
and jagged, distorted tone, turn it into a potent show-stopper and
set closer. - John Kelman - All About Jazz
For the complete
Download Series review visit All About Jazz here.
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