A couple of good friends of mine are heading down to New York City this weekend. The lucky dogs are getting to see The Bill Frisell Quintet at the Village Vanguard.

Man, oh man...am I more than just a little bit jealous (though here I have to admit that, not being much of a city person, I would have to think long and hard about actually going to NYC, and would probably find a way to not make the trip).

Bill Frisell is right up there on my list of favorite guitarists. He's added his distinctive style (that should be styles) to the records of a diverse roster of artists including Paul Motian, Jan Garbarek and John Zorn. His solo projects, while rooted in jazz/improvised music, can be mild and searching or caustic and angular. Frisell isn't afraid to mix those elements up. Americana, ambient (sort of), sheets of sonic torture....sometimes all in one tune!

I picked this particular record because the lineup is closer to what's going on with the current quintet (with horns and such). Plus, in a typical Frisell-type quirk, several of the tunes use a tuba to hold down the bass parts. If you've never heard Bill Frisell before, this might be a good place to start. You can hear the shimmering, attackless guitar, the distorted, coming-from-all-directions guitar and a stellar band (Kenny Wheeler on horns, Bob Steward (tuba), Jerome Harris (electric bass) and the incredible Paul Motian (drums)).

I hope Ty & Meg enjoy themselves at the Vanguard. I'll be sitting on the couch watching Trading Spaces...trying not to pout.

(First posted on Mark Is Cranky)