Search - New Beginnings :: New Beginnings

Don Pullen Trio

Joe Pierre | Los Angeles, CA United States | 02/13/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Don Pullen was under-recorded during his too-short life, and now after his death it is even more of a shame to see his major works go out of print. Such seems to be the case with "New Beginnings," a trio date featuring veterans Gary Peacock on bass and Tony Williams on drums recorded in 1988. Pullen recorded with a variety of bands (with Mingus, the George Adams/Don Pullen quartet, solo, and with his latter-day Afro-Brazilian Connection), but he really shines in the trio format where his playing gets center stage. This album -- arguably Pullen's best -- along with "Random Thoughts" (also worth picking up) represent the only trio dates that he recorded.



Anyway, the music... Pullen is known for his ability to stretch into free-spirited explorations within songs, while usually staying connected with, or eventually returning to, the melody. His excursions typically include percussive and dissonant cluster attacks, rolling runs up and down the keyboard, and tinkling trills and glissandi. He therefore often gets compared to Cecil Taylor, though Pullen is clearly more rooted in the melody and therefore much more accessible. This album contains healthy doses of all his stylistics with characteristic Pullen-treatments featured heavily on each of the tracks. Many of these have Pullen stating a theme, then reformulating it over and again, each time with more embellishments -- kind of like laying down bricks layer by layer to build a wall, and then tearing the whole thing to pieces. His energy and joyous enthusiasm give him a unique voice and tracks like "Once Upon a Time" and "Warriors" really rock. "Reap the Whirlwind" gets pretty frenetic, approaching Cecil Taylor territory, but once again never quite cutting the tethers to earth. Peacock and Williams provide excellent back-up, but really leave Pullen in the spotlight throughout. The CD bonus track "Silence=Death" is a beautiful, mostly straight-ahead unaccompanied ballad. Great stuff and deserving of wider recognition and re-release."

Pullen's ultimate ode to life

The Delite Rancher | Phoenix, Arizona | 08/04/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

""New Beginnings" is probably Don Pullen's most accomplished release. While avant-garde jazz tends to be inaccessible, "New Beginnings" manages to somehow find the perfect balance between cutting-edge inventiveness and accessibility. The melodies and compositions are highly compelling while the improvisation is explosive. Indeed, Pullen's break-neck solos blaze with concussive power. 'Warriors' for example is a musical assault. 'Once Upon A Time' sounds strangely familiar to Phish's 'Oh Kee Pah Ceremony.' Unlike Pullen's work on Hamiet Bluiett's "Resolution," this jazz is 'out there' but it seldomly goes too far. With the exception of 'At the Café Centrale,' "New Beginnings" doesn't have the Latin feel of the African-Brazilian Connection; this is straight jazz that leans heavily into the avant-garde. Most songs have uplifting and politically liberal themes. The liner notes are written by none other than Stanley Crouch. All in all, "New Beginnings" may be Don Pullen's ultimate ode to life."

New beginnings blew my mind

brooklyn got it baddddd | NYC | 04/05/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"and saved my soul. happened to hear this title track on wbgo.org at one of the most pivotal moments of my life - it reduced me to tears, and ultimate redemption.extraordinary beautiful artist > excited to discover Don fully, and find hidden recordings w. his touch."