Search - Peter Erskine :: Time Being

A Beautiful Record

MT | Princeton, NJ | 04/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great ECM trio recording. If you want straight ahead bebop this might not be the album for you, but really you should give it a try. If you enjoy contemporary classical and chamber music you will enjoy it. The recording is gorgeous. John Taylor on piano is the star of the show and is superbly accompanied by Palle Danielsson on bass and Peter Erskine on drums. They give each other a lot of space. The tunes are mesmerizing, spare, lyrical, gentle, stirring. It didn't grab me on the first listen because of it's subtlety, but now it is one of my favorites. A lovely record."

The poetic journey continues

Erik Werkman | Utrecht, Netherlands | 11/01/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is follow-up to the "You Never Know" album and the second of the excellent series of four albums of Peter Erskine's European Trio. The concept of the first album is here taken even to a higher level, as the interplay between these masterful musicians has further grown: poetic music with plenty of space, as always superbly recorded by Jan Erik Kongshaug for the ECM record label. The selection of tunes is done with wisdom: it ranges from impressionistic songs like "Terraces" to more flowing songs like "Palle's Headache", in which Peter Erskine gets a chance to stretch out within the boundaries of the overall present subtlety. "Liten Visa Till Karin" is a beautiful unknown ballad and Erskine's "Bulgaria" is one the highlights, a classic, in which Erskine repeats the same rhythmic pattern and melody with growing intensity to a delightful climax. Other versions of this wonderful piece are to be found on his albums "Live At Rocco" (with his American Trio; another breathtaking version) and "Behind Closed Doors Vol. 1 (with the WDR Big Band). "Phrase One" is by Kenny Wheeler and should make you buy his essential recording "The Widow In The Widow" (if you have not done that already). All in all, a wonderful album that leaves you begging for more: in order to fulfill that desire, just buy the equally thrilling sequel "As It Is" and "Juni"."