Search - Paul Bley, Jimmy Giuffre, Steve Swallow :: The Life of a Trio: Saturday and Sunday

Inspired introspection

Mark N. Russell | Rochester, N.Y. | 03/15/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In mid December, 1989, multi-reedman Jimmy Giuffre reassembled his early sixties trio. Bassist Steve Swallow had since gone over to a custom electric bass, but the telepathic awareness had not changed among Giuffre, Swallow, and pianist Paul Bley. Giuffre plays only clarinet and soprano sax; his clarinet has an attractive darker timbre and the soprano sound is utterly original. "Saturday" opens with a figure from his past , and the following duos and trio pieces suggest nothing has been lost in communication over the years. All members also have solo pieces, and all players contribute tunes to the two discs. Sound quality is excellent, and all players rely on touch and subtlety to realize their musical ideas. Swallow at times seems to be playing a giant guitar; his bass is fluid and easily keeps pace with Bley's piano. How much do I prize these discs? In 1995, I had to order these hard-to-find items from England, and I paid a premium, and have never regretted it. Presiding over it all is the brooding genius of Giuffre and the daringly human cry in his tone. It's hard to pick favorites, but gems on Saturday include "Owl Eyes," "We Agree,"and "By the Way." Sunday's gems include: "Tango del Mar," "The Hidden Voice," "Where Were We?" (a standard by Carla Bley,) and "The Life of a Trio." Still, there is not a bad cut in either disc. Very highly recommended.

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