These recordings from 1990-91 add cellist Hank Roberts to Bill Frisell's then-usual trio with bassist Kermit Driscoll and drummer Joey Baron, and there's a remarkable affinity between Roberts and Frisell's instrumental app... more »roaches. So much of Frisell's distinctive guitar style has come from his attention to sustain and pitch bending, qualities immediately available in Roberts's cello. Several of the guitarist's compositions here are concentrated on that relationship and on the spatial distinction that exists between those effects when they're accomplished by acoustic or electronic means. It's one of the things separating Frisell from the more commonplace forms of jazz fusion. He actually explores the differences and crossovers between acoustic and electronic space to create a musical analogue for the ways we experience technology. That's also evident in his contrasting uses of acoustic and electric guitars on individual tracks. There are tracks here, like "Rob Roy" and "Smilin' Jones," when Frisell's music suggests a parallel evolution of American music, as if country & western and not jazz had become its "art" music. With its rhythmic and tonal conflicts and odd, oscillating blendings of acoustic guitar harmonics, bowed cello, and Roberts's electronic "jazz-a-phone fiddle," the title track seems to pose "Where in the World?" as a utopian question. --Stuart Broomer« less
These recordings from 1990-91 add cellist Hank Roberts to Bill Frisell's then-usual trio with bassist Kermit Driscoll and drummer Joey Baron, and there's a remarkable affinity between Roberts and Frisell's instrumental approaches. So much of Frisell's distinctive guitar style has come from his attention to sustain and pitch bending, qualities immediately available in Roberts's cello. Several of the guitarist's compositions here are concentrated on that relationship and on the spatial distinction that exists between those effects when they're accomplished by acoustic or electronic means. It's one of the things separating Frisell from the more commonplace forms of jazz fusion. He actually explores the differences and crossovers between acoustic and electronic space to create a musical analogue for the ways we experience technology. That's also evident in his contrasting uses of acoustic and electric guitars on individual tracks. There are tracks here, like "Rob Roy" and "Smilin' Jones," when Frisell's music suggests a parallel evolution of American music, as if country & western and not jazz had become its "art" music. With its rhythmic and tonal conflicts and odd, oscillating blendings of acoustic guitar harmonics, bowed cello, and Roberts's electronic "jazz-a-phone fiddle," the title track seems to pose "Where in the World?" as a utopian question. --Stuart Broomer
"This is the best Frisell CD there is, and that's saying a lot. Awesome. A must-have. Hypnotic, haunting, and mind-bending."
Unsung beauty...
Nathan Cross | Bloomington, IN USA | 08/06/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album is one of Bill Frisell's diamonds in the rough! This album features a quartet setting adding a cello to frisell's usual trio (baron, driscoll). The results are haunting and amazing. The beauty of the songs are what stike me the most. His songwriting abilities are really on display here. Although, Frisell does get naughty a few times with some excellent solos. The album has a masked tenderness with dark overtones, the feel the album creates is the crowning aspect of the album. Just try out "Rob Roy," "Child at Heart," and "where in the World?" to really get a taste of this hauntingly beautiful album."
Who is this guy ??!!
K. K. Benckendorf | Somewhere not too far away | 09/21/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"New to the jazz scene and still undecided on which genre suits me best. I've explored Mingus to Uri Caine, Coltrane to John Zorn. But I must say this album, on first listen, blew me away. Haunting and intense. Something that stirs the heart and soul from within. It takes you to far away places never wanting to return. Melodic and beautiful. Just a touch of avant garde. Enough to satisfy the craving. This is my first Bill Frisell album and only discovered him from reading reviews and listening to sound bytes on Amazon. Someone make a recommendation for my next. Please !! Hurry !!"
Bill Frisell's Masterpiece
J. Rich | 11/28/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As a reviewer has said "I am a tard," they are right! I completely wrote this album off, because at that time I didn't get it.....sorry, but we all make mistakes...right?
Having said that, this is a hauntingly beautiful album that will really challenge you and inspire you. You must have an open mind when you're listening to this album, that's a given, but you must also be willing to throw all pretensions you may have of jazz out the window. I finally did that and this album is one of my favorite Bill Frisell albums now. I have every Bill album now, and I will continue to listen to him whenever I get the chance.
The album opens up with "Unsung Heroes," which is one of my favorite tunes on the album with it's dissonance. He's such a master at taking dissonance and making it accessible. Another one of my favorite tunes is "Again," with it's dark timbre and moody excursions. Another highlight, for me anyway, is "Child At Heart," which starts off with a great jazz melody and by the end of the piece it's turned into a surf song! Great drumming, by the way, from Joey Baron on this song. I always admired his musical unpredictablity.
I'm a fool to call this album what I did. Never will I say another bad thing about Bill Frisell again, because he's my favorite guitarist. An amazing album that is truly rewarding.
Musicians:
Bill Frisell - guitar
Kermit Driscoll - bass
Hank Roberts - cello
Joey Baron - drums
*Jazz lovers don't write this album off, because it will grow on you in a big way
Special update note: Amazon please change the label name of the record company. This record was released under the Elektra Musician label. The same label that put out "Before We Were Born" and "Is That You?" The Elektra/Nonesuch albums are "Have A Little Faith" and "This Land.""