Search - Bill Carrothers :: Duets With Bill Stewart

Carrothers and Stewart were born to play together

04/24/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bill Stewart is a fantastic, inventive drummer--a first call for Joe Lovano, John Scofield, Pat Metheny, Bill Charlap, Larry Goldings, etc. But, he really shows his full range of textures when he plays with pianist Bill Carrothers. They play as wide a range of tunes as you'll hear anywhere--standards like Puttin' on the Ritz, songs you wouldn't expect to hear like Tenting on the Old Campground, original compositions and free tunes. They play with sensitivity and also swing with fire. For Stewart's best work on Bill Carrothers' projects, check out Bill Carrothers on the internet: great CDs include "Ghost Ships" "A Band in All Hope" and "Armistice Day" plus Carrothers' other great CDs "The Electric Bill" "Blue Skies" "The Blues and the Greys" and "Swing Sing Songs." Carrothers and Stewart are big in France (this recording won a French Grammy)--they frequently tour in Europe and sadly more recordings are available there, but search under Bill Carrothers on the net and you'll find more great music."

Bill-squared should be arrested

the way I see it | Midwest | 04/09/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bill-squared (Carrothers and Stewart) should flat out be arrested for making this CD, and perhaps sentenced--to what, though? I have no idea what would be appropriate for "breaking the laws of conventionalism" and delighting this listener in totally unexpected ways that felt illegal because of the degree of pleasure it brought me. Suffice it to say that it simply ought to be illegal to make innovative, creative, and uniquely unique music of this nature. Are there "jazz police" who could interogate these guys? Jazz gatekeepers who might want to tail them to see if they become repeat "off-enders" who are delighting thousands with their stunning musicality?



A personal highlight for me is "Puttin' on the Ritz," which is certainly not a song I would ever request to hear from a band because there are simply too many other great songs to choose from. However, if I were to see Bill-squared in concert as a duo, I would have no hesistation to politely ask them if they would consider playing this song. They completely rip it up,tear it apart, break it down, and rearrange it--all for the better. In fact, I will almost guarantee that if you ever happen to hear "Puttin' on the Ritz" by another group, whether in person or via CD, you will compare it to the new standard that Bill-squared have set. Again, it should smply be illegal to take what I consider to be a fairly run of the mill tune and elevate it to something that has never been heard before, leaving the listener laughing and delighting and completely dumbfounded by what has transpired.



This tune is just one example of their collective creativity and dynamic interplay on this CD. While I love piano trios over any other group format, I would be prone to buying any additional duets that these two put out together. They are Bill-squared, two geni at the top of their game, and are among the very greatest of the great playing in today's jazz world. If you get a chance to see them, don't miss it. You will be a forever changed person as a result of experiencing some highly "illegal" music that is likely to result in you being arrested by a most pleasureable listening experience.



I, for one, can't get enough of that Bill-squared stuff!"

A Brilliant Double Bill!

R. Fischer | California | 07/06/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This fantastic CD contains eleven duets between pianist Bill Carrothers and drummer Bill Stewart, plus one solo track each (total time: 63:14). Though there are only two players, this is a very full sounding "band" with a high level of interplay, and Steve Wiese's quality engineering captures every nuance. Two highlights: the hard-swinging "Puttin' on the Ritz" and the ultra-bluesy "Death of a Cigarette." This is passionate, exciting, beautiful music that bears repeated listenings and sounds better the louder you play it. Great stuff!"