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It was awesome. I've been a fan of his music since I was a teenager and this was the first time I got to see him perform live. I really liked the intimacy of the Ballroom. I would definitely see more shows in that space.
Bill Frisell's Big Sur Quintet played renditions of Woody Guthrie's music and other protest songs with emotional sensitivity calling forth a full array of emotions -Incredible arrangements; incredible musicians! What a perfect night of music. Hoping a CD or download will become available. The Valley Performing Arts Center is a wonderful venue: comfortable seating and great acoustics in a mid sized hall.
It was no surprise to note, at the conclusion of this concert, and as we walked out to our various destinations, the many concert-goers who were in a state of near dis-belief. I was literally front-row-center for this performance and was once again reminded of Frisell's genius and knack for approaching simple music w/ humility and wonder , keeping it yet simple but making it so much more. I heard one nice woman , who was obviously "more mature" , state out loud, "I had no idea music like this even existed, that it was even possible". The venue was a revelation … that world-class music has finally arrived in the San Fernando Valley is a tiny glimmer of hope in the midst of all that may appear gloomy.
Between his Buster Keaton projects and now Bill Morrison, Frisell and company have mastered the live multimedia presentation. Ron Miles on Cornet was a great addition. Two enthusiastic thumbs up.
Beautiful footage along with an etherial and evocative score being played in real time will leave you with a tear and a smile. Outstanding musicianship and composing.
Wrote a whole review of the 3 shows and then lost it.. So I'll sum up and say 3 different shows all showcasing Bill's great eclectic style - a mix of many music styles into his own. Parts are probably difficult for many people to penetrate and other parts are very easy to listen and groove to. In summary, see him if you can, there's something there for almost anyone, for someone open to his variety and style, it's a great experience.
So early, I thought. No musician could possibly be awake enough at this hour to play an instrument. But I was wrong; it was sublime. The venue, the artist and the chosen music all came together in the quiet Saturday morning of Brooklyn Heights' St. Ann's and soothed this soul savaged by a late-night marathon of Einstein on the Beach at BAM the evening before. And as I looked around the pews, I could see a wide reach of the thrall. It would have only been improved if Mr Frisell was raised up enough on a platform to allow those not in the front row to see how wide awake his hands were.
Couldn't have been more perfect! The setting was serene and the playing was spectacular. Truly an unforgettable treat for the eyes and ears! What an artist!
A lot of meditative jamming, which tended to bore me after a while. The musicians were great there were some fun parts (particularly "Strawberry Fields" at the end), but I found myself nodding off and wishing the pieces were shorter (they averaged about 10 minutes each, I'd guess).
With all due respect to the musicians and their obvious talent, in all candor, I only lasted about 40 minutes into the concert. Suffice it to say, I did not care for the composition (it was still going on when I left). While, admittedly, there were sporadic sections where I found myself moving to a beat, most of it seemed atonal and was musically boring to me. Also, I didn't feel any connection to the musicians. I felt that they were all in their own world and we were mere observers. I didn't particularly care for the mélange of the classical instruments with the guitar and drums. I'd heard about Mr. Frisell's prowess as a guitarist, but the guitar part in this piece seemed entirely understated.
We enjoyed their interpretations of the Beatles songs very much. We felt the show was pretty short though.
Bill Frisell is the ultimate intellectual guitar master, but also is atmospheric, soulful, and above all intensely melodic, There is something mysterious about taking all the music of John Lennon, and making a whole record (and series of live performances) out of it. The poetry is still there in our heads, and I wonder what someone might think who didn't already know the words, and have all the associations we all have with those songs? They would hear a great four piece, somewhat eccentric but gorgeous melody, and an otherworldly atmosphere. For those of us who packed all the emotional luggage and brought it with us, we heard someone mining all that territory for added energy , euphoric peaks, wistfulness. Bill Frisell can melt your brain with a single bend of a string, and that night he was in full space cowboy mode, shifting tones and sounds. Finally if you ever wondered where that Jam went that fades out at the end of Strawberry Fields, Bill will provide you will his speculation, and that alone is worth the price of admission. Other highlights include a harrowing Come Together, a dreamy across the universe, and a victorious hide your love away. Don't miss this.
One of the best concerts of my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was a joy to watch how these musicians not only mastered their talent, but enjoyed it too. His music can transport you to a different place, and can either move you to tears or laughter. One of the best experiences!
The Bill Frisell Trio can basically do no wrong. Their music is exciting to watch and beautiful to hear. Frisell himself has been one of my favorite live jazz performers for over decade. He has an impeccable way of bring the blues, folk music and country roots to remind his audience that Jazz music is as American as it gets. Tony Scherr totally cranks on the bass -- his passion is audible. All in all Frisell, Scherr and Kenny Wollensen (the drummer) play off each other in a truly dynamic way. Watching Buster Keaton movies with this genius trio playing live was so much fun! The music really added a nice element to the films and I found myself wondering if I was sharing in an experience from the silent film era - when live bands would accompany the movie. It was really cool. That said, I was thrilled when the Bill Frisell Trio played a couple of tunes after the films were over. Honestly I wish they had played a longer set -- a 30 minute set after the movies would have been cool as the tickets weren't cheap. Still, definitely a worthwhile experience.
The Buster Keaton film shorts were great of course, and Frisell's music was an appropriate accompaniment as far as it went. But I thought their music wandered around quite a bit, almost too freely (yes, I know it's jazz and that comes with the musical form). Also the short cartoons which Frisell collaborated on, which preceded the films, were kind of horrifying or just simply weird. This was for a family matinee show, and I think had I been 5 or so, I would have come away with nightmares. My 9 year old son didn't mind them, but was not impressed either. In the end, the $18 kid's price/$28 adult ticket was a lot for a one hour show (the show length was not specified anyplace in advance, only on the program handed entrants at Royce Hall's door).
What can you say about Bill, his explorations continue to amaze. I haven't heard anything he's played on that I didn't like, from Naked City to Live with Kermit Driscoll and Joey Barron. He plays a jazz that is full of colorful deep sounding chords that hit you in the solar plexus. His choice of visual material here was stunning, his collaborations with Woodring are simultaneously beautiful and profoundly disturbing. Buster Keaton was aptly accompanied by bill and company in an engrossing and entertaining way that went just too fast. Bill has a taste that is impeccable and his companions lived up to their rolls with ease. This was a stunning event, I wish I had it on DVD...
Frisell is one of the great living musical minds. His ability to summon seemingly all forms of Americana (albeit commonly with a sense of nostalgia), yet with deep sincerity, is moving and makes one proud to be an American.
It's always fantastic to watch silent film with live music accompaniment. Frisell knows how to bring out the nuances of silent cinema. But the program was comprised of 2 short Bill Woodring animations (avant-garde and stylish) from the '00s and 2 Keaton shorts from the '20s, an aesthetic mix that didn't quite work. I know that Keaton's films have been embraced by the art community as an existential and post-modern icon. Perhaps a better programmed mix of old and new/animation and live action might have brought the visual part of the program together. And the transfers (projected digitially) could have been upgraded as well.
Bill Frisell's trio playing live with Buster Keaton's hilarious classic comedies was a match made in heaven.This matinee had lots of young children in the audience and they were enthralled. The band was having a great time watching the films and hitting the visual cues with great artistry and humor. Nirvana!
