Vintage Bailey Solo
hj | London | 01/30/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"There are now hundreds of Derek Bailey CDs including dozens of solo Bailey. This wasn't always the case. Back in the 1970s a whole album of solo free improv guitar was deemed a bit too daunting to be commercially and critically viable. There was the Incus label "SOLO GUITAR" album from 71. Another called "LOT 74" (which I've never heard). And that was about it. However it now turns out there was another album, recorded and released in Italy in 75 and rather obscure, but now on general CD reissue.
I'd say the 71 "SOLO GUITAR" is the best introduction to Bailey's solo playing in that it gives a comprehensive cross-section of his various styles, ideas and techniques. But "IMPROVISATION" is also recommended. It's a "properly" recorded studio session and has a clarity of sound which really allows the listener to catch the detail of the music (not always the case in the verite live "documents" favoured by free improv types like Bailey). The music is also very focused, 14 short tracks presumably recorded back to back in a single session. It plays like a set of variations on a single musical concept. In the foreground is the busy, dense acoustic activity, set off against a background wash of amplified / electric bending of sustain and feedback. Sometimes the two layers merge and it's difficult to work out which is shadowing which. In the later tracks the acoustic predominates again, fragmented with stark staccato chords in the manner that would become prevalent in Bailey's playing of the 80s. As complex percussive miniatures with an air of detached melancholy, the pieces here retain a residual echo of John Cage's prepared piano works.
We now have three great CD reissues - the Incus 71, this Italian 75 and the Japanese epic live NEW SIGHTS OLD SOUNDS (from 78) - together they give us a good representation of solo Bailey across the 1970s. (note: There appear to be two reissues; this review refers to the Amperesand label reissue)"
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1