Search - John Taylor :: Rosslyn

ECM Meets the Bill Evans Trio

Stephen Silberman | SF, CA USA | 03/15/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a lovely, moody, and introspective trio session by three of the most gifted players out there. John Taylor is a veteran of dozens of ECM sessions, mining the more reflective vein of the post-Bill Evans school of piano while extending it in more "out" directions. Bassist Marc Johnson was the glorious final discovery of Evans himself -- as a teenager, Johnson held the post in the Evans Trio that had been occupied the great Scott LaFaro, and Johnson's career has moved out from that peerless pedigree in scores of fascinating directions, including the brilliant (but alas, out of print) recordings of a band called Right Brain Patrol.Drummer Joey Baron is a monster, having provided the rhythmic drive on many John Zorn projects, but here he plays with exquisite subtlety, almost as if he was making an hommage to Paul Motian, the drummer of the original Evans trio. I know I'm making a lot of Evans references here; the presiding muse of this session could also be said to be ECM producer Manfred Eicher, because this record has the melancholy grace, and exploratory intellect, of the best ECM work.One of the loveliest tunes here in Ralph Towner's "Tramonto." Taylor recorded a lovely trio album with Towner and a female vocalist named Maria Pia DeVeto, "Verso" (import only) -- it's nice to see Taylor probing into Towner's book, because Towner is one of our most beautiful composers, and his guitar melodies are revelatory on piano.A magnificent release for anyone interested in the state of the piano trio."

Unapologetic Elegance

yawuh2002 | USA | 11/07/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"My previous exposure to Taylor came from Peter Erskine's trio records of recent years, and Kenny Wheeler's Double Double You of 1983. What a great pianist Mr. Taylor is, with deft touch and rich harmonic imagination. He leaves perfect spaces in his improvisations, which is as enviable an ability as his dazzling keyboard runs that he casually includes when the music needs it.This is an outstanding example of Taylor in his zone, and the high points include "Field Day" (a Taylor original) and a stunning reworking of "How Deep is the Ocean." Baron and Johnson are sparse in support, and their presence (along with the piano) is appreciable in this amazing mix - surely one of the best sounding ECM records ever, which is saying something.Highly recommended to fans of Taylor's other work and/or piano trios in general. Music like this offers glimmers of beauty in our drum-machined world...interaction and sensitivity worth savoring."

Hyperbole fails me

Arthur Hampton | Rohnert Park, CA USA | 05/05/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Every once in a while I hear an album or cd which is life altering. Stan Getz's 'Focus' was such an album. Ray Bryant's 'Con Alma' another. And then there is Beirach's 'Elm' which is a gem of twentieth century art, in my opinion. This is another of those icons.



The key for me is 'How Deep is the Ocean'. It reminds me of 'Sea Priestess' on the Elm album. It begins in a meditative, rhthmic fashion and builds gradually into a statement of aching beauty, an homage to life.



This collection of pieces resonates so strongly with me that I am at a loss for words. I will give this cd to those I love during the holidays and hold my breath, hoping that they 'get it'."