Outside Jazz comes in
Paul Carr | Silver Spring, MD United States | 10/08/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Myra Melford's achievement is considerable. She comes from the leading (if not bleeding) edge of jazz with melodic, lyrical and harmonically very inviting music. Not that she panders in the least, but she seems to have a natural knack for extroverted playing and composing, not unlike her mentor Henry Threadgill. She's also a terrific pianist who might remind you a bit of a more fluid and concise Cecil Taylor or harmonically wilder Don Pullen, but I wouldn't call her an imitator of anyone.On this recording she's joined by some very fine horn players (Dave Douglas, Chris Speed), and she lets them play. Her own playing is at once virtuosic and effective. There is a free, improvisational feel to this music, but it always holds together with just enough structure.Good stuff - we need more musicians like Myra Melford."
Hidden harmony better than the obvious one
ptitchitza | Leiden, Netherlands | 06/29/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"My first encounter with Myra Melford was in 1997 when she was promoting The Same River Twice, her debut CD with the quintet of the same name. In fact, it was the band, consisted of some of the most exciting musicians from the "downtown NY scene" (Dave Douglas (t), Erik Friedlander (clo), Michael Sarin (d) and Chris Speed (ts, Bb cl)) that has led me to Melford, but I was soon made aware that I've found a very rich and interesting further lead in my search for fresh, exciting and adventurous music. In addition to Anthony Coleman, Myra Melford has since become my favorite pianist/composer."Melford is an impressive pianist whose synthesis of 'out' playing with surprisingly infectious melodic hooks and harmonic rigour makes her music inviting and challenging at the same moment", says The Penguin Guide To Jazz On CD. She has a remarkable stylistic range and a taste for adventure and somehow joins bluesy boogie-woogie influences with avant-garde sensibility in a very imaginative and "twisted" way. As a bandleader, she is extremely generous. As one reviewer noted: the musicians play "enthusiastically with singing tones and unfailingly appropriate effusions. Trumpeter Dave Douglas and tenor saxophonist/clarinetist Chris Speed are as complementary as sparring partners; Erik Friedlander plucks and bows his cello with brio, foreground or midground or background, whatever is right; drummer Michael Sarin's touch and accents are firm but self-effacing."Says Myra Melford: "The Same River Twice, both as an ensemble and as a set of compositions, grew out my desire to place myself in a new musical environment; one with new colors and textures and fresh improvisational impetus and input. This music relies largely on improvisation for its development and allows each player to create their own parts anew with each performance. I am very fortunate to play with musicians possessed of such imagination and the ability to realize it. I began composing with the following, briefly paraphrased, ideas from Heraclitus in mind; all things flow; opposition brings together, and from discord comes harmony; from all, one and from one, all; the hidden harmony is better than the obvious one; and it is in change that things find rest." Changes I and II were originally written to accompany a poem by Reuben Jackson of the same title, and appears in an expanded version on the CD. His poem, The Same River Twice, is included on the sleeve and I can not help myself but to include it as well: "These fluid / undulations / are not broken / by the thick silt / of nostalgia. / Here, tradition / is a fecund / tributary; / is rain swelling the banks / where musicians drink, / but form their / own songs / of romance, / peace, / this century's / frenzied close. / One could / spend a lifetime / admiring the fauna; / the storms which / pummel trees; / before giving way / to moonrise / shining like / polished brass / on the river / seen from / Melford's ship of sound."The emotion, dark undertones and some familiar musical motives (of Eastern Europe) make this intense, beautiful and dramatic album one of my favorite ones.5 compositions, 62+ minutes playing time."
Stunning
Bazarov | Amsterdam, Holland | 03/16/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have Amazon's recomendations-system to thank for this gem. It was suggested to me as a fan of The Bad Plus, Gerri Allen and the like - and never has a suggestion been more justified. Splendid stuff!! Strong, engaging compositions, with gorgeous melodies and more than enough room for improvs that get pretty dang free in places, but never turn freaky, because this band is as tight as any band could be - and there's always Michael Sarin's drumming to keep it all together.
Great performances throughout, but the show gets stolen by cellist Erik Friedlander on the last, 24 minute track. Very, very inspired playing, moving and exhilarating at once.
One last name that should be mentioned is sleeve designer Mary Ann Southard, who gave this album the artwork it deserves. Great for staring at as you play this disc again and again."
Track Listings (5) - Disc #1