Search - Don Friedman :: Metamorphosis

Another very fine Friedman album from the sixties

Jazzcat | Genoa, Italy Italy | 01/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Modern pianism and combo improvisations of the highest caliber this is what this jazz date is all about folks. Jazz pianism of the highest caliber, FOR REAL. Don Friedman is quite underrated as a pianist and composer in my opinion. Think of another Bill Evans, not an imitator, but another voice in the Bill Evans style plus more. Bill Evans-Don Friedman style I should say. By the way this album is another very good album from the Friedman Zoeller cooperation. Attila Zoeller the gifted hungarian guitarist. Probably you can think of Rene Thomas to make a stylistic comparison. They were close .. Thomas probably was more technical, but anyway. They were both linear players, horizontal players... The music is very inspired sixties jazz with a lot of freer moments of improvisation. very intellectual and forward music that does swing. Even if it is abstract in some points (Spring sign). It is a fusion of styles in the end. Modern pianism as you can think of today. Jarrett (which is a player I love) did not invent the thing for sure!! the duo piano guitar worked very well here a thing you can't say of a lot of similar dates. Talking about Friedman sixties riverside albums they are all great albums. You will find just that right sixties flavour in them. Intellectual refinement, strong swing, highly creative solos, great interplay .. all the ingredients of the best Jazz."

"Finally.....

George A. Gutekunst | San Francisco, CA. USA | 07/09/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Waiting years for this to come out!..A minor, unique "masterpiece" of the type which makes.... this jazz music special and yes,....singular. Actually not much quite like this....If whenever (probably never) the similar Friedman/ Atilla Zoller collaboration on EmArcy "The Horizon Beyond" makes it to CD don't hesitate, cause' it won't be around long. Disgrace this music / group was not recorded more...Richard Davis and Joe Chambers deeply into it here as well...And you know that makes it heavy...Original LP was beautifully recorded...I would have liked to hear someone like Warne Marsh sing/play/THINK with this group. Yes...a very private world all about some music.....Just that.....Not about money....And beautiful....Forewarned, it's for the acquired,rareified taste."

Don Friedman plus Davis & Chambers create an avant garde cla

Dennis W. Wong | 11/01/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you like the music of Jimmy Giuffre, then you'll like this rarely known avant garde album from the under-rated pianist Don Friedman. Often compared to another romancist, Bill Evans (they both had Scott LaFaro as a co-player), Friedman has also payed his dues with Charles Lloyd, Joe Henderson, Clark Terry and Herbie Mann, the pianist along with two of the best rhythm players of the '60s, bassist Richard Davis and drummer Joe Chambers. With these two musicians on board, you'll know that the music will be adventurous since both were also featured on the more progressive Blue Note recordings of the '60s with such musicians as Bobby Hutcherson, Andrew Hill, Joe Henderson, and Freddie Hubbard. Along with the Hungarian guitarist Atilla Zoller, Friedman & co create a progressive music which is neither shrill or overly dissonent to the ears. If you're turned off the hectic sounds of Shepp or Pharoah Saunders, do check this out. Like many of the Blue Note recordings, this was recorded at Rudy Van Gelder's studio."