Seshjawn Notes
10/2/22
Dan – Bjork – “Fossora” – This was released on Friday and I always buy Bjork’s new album when it is released. I only do this with a few artists and in general the last 3-4 Bjork albums have been interesting, have a few songs that I love on them, but they don’t hold my attention, nor do I return to them much (yet). This one is immediately more engaging and not strictly because of a Bagaggle of Bass Clarinets (tho that was certainly noted and appreciated & a Bagaggle is the appropriate name for a flock of Bass Clarinets…). Fossora apparently means hole-digger and Bjork is consciously returning to her roots on this recording. It doesn’t have that Popular Music potential, like her earliest solo albums, but the vocal melodies often sound like snippets of older favorites and I will listen to this album a lot. Ruby (my dear) also approved of it and we had a dance party to it Saturday night. Even Bjork albums that aren’t my favorites are important to listen to because she is always on the creative forefront. I additionally bought this cool Bjorkmug when ordering the album.
Anthony – Alan Pasqua – “The Law of Diminishing Returns” – Nice to see Anthony at a sesh! And this is a great selection, something I passed by, in the record shop, before because I could never remember who Alan Pasqua was. This album has a great cover, great band and was on the Postcards label. Postcards released a few progressive, and well made recordings, by Reggie Workman & Sam Rivers in the 90’s. Anthony brought this recording for the Michael Brecker appearance, but Alan sounds great too. The Holland/DeJohnette rhythm section is crackling, DeJohnette’s Bass drum alone has me agog.
Travis – Jumps into something old and Funky. Primitive Funk. Still sounds like Rock & Roll but hyper repetitive and with a pentatonic flow. Maybe more 70’s Japanese Art Rock? The guitar is aggressive enough to avoid any rhythmic complacency. The guitar tone has a Hendrix influenced sound on the solo. The Hendrix sound that has a really clean, bell-like tone which he uses on certain Blues recordings. The groove reminds me of something from “Cry of Love” but inverted a little, tilted. William S.Fischer – “Saigon” – Another whose that? And gotta check out the full album “Circles”….
Bart – Something tricky. I wonder if its one of the musicians Julian works with. Great left hand on this piano player. There are a lot of cracks to fall into within this song, the musicians avoid them daringly and they all perform with great purity. (Links to Bandcamp page – this is not on the YouTube playlist) Chad Taylor Trio – “Julian’s Groove” – Interesting I had been planning to check out this Bass-less trio. Three great musicians doing it and Chad was a classmate over at Rutgers seven years ago and an excellent musician.
Bill – Henry Threadgill’s Very Very Circus – “In Touch” One of my favorite albums! There is really too much to say. The complexity is belittled by its execution. It sounds easy and yet is impossible. Henry is another musician that I must hear any new album that comes out but have fallen back a few recently. Chad Taylor, from the previous listen, did his Rutgers thesis on Henry’s compositional approach – it was an incredible, and interesting, investigation.
Found Sounds 