"Duo". Clattering percussion and extended guitar techniques give way to psychotic call and response (of sorts) passages between the two instruments.
- ...perfect for each other
"Track One". The piano chords are used as support structure for a slowly morphing group improvisation.
- Cold Morning Fog
"Inlet". A Braxton-meets-Lounge Lizards improv with droplets of percussion , staccato trumpet, bowed bass and sax.
- Confused
"Autumn". For some reason, this reminds me of Ornette's Prime Time. A soaring three-chord (sampled?) figure is fleshed out with layers of improvised sounds. Harmolodic? Maybe. Thought-provoking? Definiteley.
- This just might work out
What's interesting about this 'generated thought' phenomenon is that, like other arts, the result is different for everybody. The listener brings as much to the experience as the musician.
Does that mean that some music is too 'difficult', making it impossible to 'get'? Not at all. There are as many elements to perceive in music as there are reasons for its creation. Heck, a lot of music has no meaning beyond the ideas followed by the musician. One idea spawns another just because it made musical sense at the time.
I've gotta give the guys in Spring Heel Jack extra points for their 'big ears'. The collective improvisations manage to be both introspective and and inclusive, not an easy thing to get right.
The Sweetness of the Water will be released on June 8th, 2004.
(First posted on Mark Is Cranky)
Article comments
1 - Tom Johnson
Funny, Mark, I've had this for more than a month and couldn't get into it. Last night I put it in the CD player and loved it. Then today I find your review. Do we think alike or what?
Your review is about the best assessment I could give this album - it's very hard to put into words. The thing that mesmerized me last night was the production - the instruments sound so alive and clean, but not processed. It's as close to "in the room with you" as stereo can get. Impressive.
2 - Mark Saleski
thanks tom.
the production reminds me of that Mingus tribute "Weird Nightmare"
3 - Stately Wayne Manor
Mark, Where are these guys from ?
4 - Mark Saleski
edinburgh and london (for the duo of Coxon and Wales)
i think Evan Parker's british as well.
5 - Stately Wayne Manor
Thanks man.I figured they were Brits but
wanted to be sure.