On many instrumental recordings, the instruments themselves are hard to escape. The stunning trumpet technique of early Wynton Marsalis releases, the torrent of notes pouring from Joe Satriani's guitar, Glen Gould's incredibly expressive piano. I don't mean this to be an indictment of technique. The point is that Black Codes From The Underground, Surfing With The Alien, and The Goldberg Variations are pretty clearly trumpet, electric guitar and piano albums.
Ralph Towner, whether playing in an ensemble (Oregon) or duo (many examples here, including works with Gary Burton, Peter Erskine, John Abercrombie, and Jan Garbarek) seems to employ the multi-timbral capabilities of the acoustic guitar to great effect. Even though Towner has prodigious chops, he leans toward finding the absolutely right notes to play. In a group populated by several musicians, that might not seem like such a feat. I mean, isn't that what musicians are born to do?
Solo recordings are another story. Can the artist push the composition out into the light? Far enough to make the listener forget about the instrument involved?
On Time Line, Towner does exactly that. Recorded in the Church of St. Gerold (a monastery in the Austrian mountains), Towner's guitar takes a back seat to the musical constructions. Beginning with "The Pendant" (and recalling Bill Evans' "Waltz For Debby"), it becomes apparent that the chords, melodies, basslines, and counter-melodies are all part of the orchestra that Towner hears in his head. The guitar might be delivering the message, but the resultant composition is what you'll remember.
Other highlights include: "The Hollows" which, with its shifting, repeated motifs, evokes some sort of journey. "The Lizards of Eraclea", a short piece that sure enough does bring scurrying lizards to mind. The improvisational vignettes of "Five Glimpses". Towner also reworks a few classics with Bill Evans' "My Man's Gone Now" (performed on 12-string) and Harold Arlen's "Come Rain or Come Shine." One more highlight: the sound. I'm a pretty big fan of the ECM/Manfred Eicher sound but this recording, captured live in that church, gets a more natural version of the ECM reverb that we usually hear. There's a little more 'air' between the notes. It works.
Because of all of the great music I've heard Ralph Towner play (my favorite goes all the way back to 1973 with The Paul Winter Consort's Icarus), I'm sometimes surprised that the well hasn't run dry. That's not my usual line of reasoning and, given the fantastic musical ideas on this disc, it's probably one I won't waste my time on in the future.
Yes, this is an album presented with an acoustic guitar, but the guitar is not the point.
Article comments
1 - Joey
I can honestly say that I have never heard Ralph Towner, but I have always read articles about him. Whether it be Guitar Player, Downbeat, Acoustic Guitar, Musician, or some other e-zine.
He sounds (in writing) to be absolutely phenomenal. Is it really true?
He strikes me as a searcher. Having played stringed instruments for 40 years... I just can't imagine the profound sound which eminates from his voice (i.e. classical guitar).
I'm hedging a personal bet that this will be the all encompassing release that I should purchase which will unravel the mystery surrounding Ralph Towner.... am I right? or is there another release I should pursue?
Fill me in.
2 - Mark Saleski
this cd really is a good place to start. if you like it i'd suggest moving backward, maybe with one of his earlier solo things like "Solo Concert".
3 - godoggo
It's also worth noting how weird he can be. He's the unchallenged master of dissonant guitar chords, as far as I'm concerned, though he's just as likely to play pretty. I first heard him in his stunning intro to the second track on Weather Report's avantish I Sing The Body Electric album, and I've been hooked ever since.
4 - Mark Saleski
very true. he's a pretty unique player. tough to categorize.
5 - godoggo
BTW, I haven't heard it yet (except the samples), but an amazon customer claims that Solstice is "Pat Metheny's Favorite ECM Recording."
6 - Mark Saleski
wow. Metheny picked an ECM record without Gary Burton on it?!
7 - Dave
As a first Towner purchase I'd recommend the latest Oregon album "Prime". That way you get to hear how good a pianist he is as well as a guitarist. On the Oregon album "Crossing", he plays horn as well as his usual guitar and keyboards. Warning: If the sort of guitar-playing-as-sporting-event music (Satriani/Vai/MacAlpine, etc.) is what you like, look elsewhere.
8 - JR
I definitely have to pick this up.
BTW, "My Man's Gone Now" is by Gershwin.
9 - MotoMike
I would second the comment about the Solo Concert CD, and add "Diary", in which he plays piano and guitar - and uses both of them in a stellar recording of his composition "Icarus".
Speaking of Burton, Ralph Towner and Gary Burton collaborated on "Matchbook".
And if you're interested in Ralph's work with Oregon (which spans over thirty years!) there are a lot of Oregon recordings available. My personal recommendation is "Out of the Woods", but there are a lot of good ones. And there's a bang-up recording of Icarus as the first cut of "Road" by the Paul Winter Consort from way back when. ('71?)
10 - Mark Saleski
yes, i love the song "Irarus". that was the one that got me attracted to Paul Winter's music in the first place....too many years ago.
11 - Troubleshooter
I've been listening to Towner by himself and his group Oregon for well over 30 years now, and trust me when I tell you, he is ALL OF THAT, and considerably more. His solo masterwork is very likely "Solo Concert," where he demonstrates utter mastery of both six- and 12-string acoustic guitars.
As for the group Oregon, I recommend "Northwest Passage" and "Prime," both premium albums.