Everything from this gun hits the target
Eric C. Sedensky | Madison, AL, US | 05/09/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"One of the most amazing works of jazz music I've been listening to lately is Bombella, featuring Abdullah Ibrahim with the WDR Big Band Cologne. And one of the keys to swing, especially in a big band, is always going to be the bass. The Innkeeper's Gun is the latest trio work of John Goldsby, the WDR bass player, so it's not surprising that this work really swings. Goldsby gets some incredible sounds and "images" from his bass: guitar-like upper registers, plaintive bowing, and furtive plucking. (Frankly, I don't know how he does it.) Jacob Duncan is the alto player, and while some people may find the sparseness of sound unnerving, I like how Duncan and Goldsby fill the space above the varied grooves and rhythms of Jason Tiemann. At times, it is hard to avoid feeling like they are almost recording this live, as it has an ambience and depth like it's coming from a few tables away, off in a corner somewhere (which is a very effective sound for trio jazz, I think). Although the authors of this work claim Ornette Coleman as one of their influences, and this reviewer is no big fan of Ornette, the sound of this trio really invokes a wider range of precedents. (Sonny Rollins and Rahsaan Roland Kirk jump to mind.) The songs themselves are all originals from the trio members except for an intriguing cover of Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi". The title track is intricate and soothing, and demands repeated listening, as the feeling changes with the time of day and the mood of the listener. The same can be said for Juan in the Basement, which would have also been a good title track, had Goldsby and his group wanted to go more in an offbeat Latin direction. All I can say is, as a piano player, I don't always appreciate trios or groups that don't include one, but I had no trouble enjoying this recording over and over, and I'm sure I'll be able to put it into my regular rotation without suffering any reduction in enjoyment. The Innkeeper's Gun shoots straight while swinging, and you simply can't ask for any more than that.
"
Fresh and Frisky
Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 04/21/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Jacob Duncan, alto saxophone, John Goldsby, double bass, and Jason Tiemann, drums constitute a trio that has a unique sound and a very modern approach to jazz. They obviously have worked together for a while - this particular recording comes after a successful European tour last year - and the internal appreciation for each other's talents is evident. Each of the three is a fine soloist and when each take the spotlight during this group eight works the rest of the trio provides the sensitive backup without ever distracting from the lead line. Seven of the eight works here were composed by either Jacob Duncan or John Goldsby - the one 'non-original' tune being Lady Gaga's 'Paparazzi'. The quality of the playing is matched by the finely tuned recording technique that makes this CD a treasure. Here is a welcome new group for modern jazz aficianados! Grady Harp, April 10"
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1