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Oracle
Gary Peacock, Ralph Towner
Oracle
Genres: Jazz, Pop, Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (9) - Disc #1

Given the obvious classical influence on bassist Gary Peacock's opener, "Gaya," guitarist Ralph Towner's exotic and exclusive use of nylon and 12-string acoustic guitars, and the 20th-century modernity of the melodies and ...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Gary Peacock, Ralph Towner
Title: Oracle
Members Wishing: 4
Total Copies: 0
Label: ECM Records
Release Date: 3/15/1994
Genres: Jazz, Pop, Classical
Styles: Avant Garde & Free Jazz, Modern Postbebop, Bebop
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 781182149021

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Given the obvious classical influence on bassist Gary Peacock's opener, "Gaya," guitarist Ralph Towner's exotic and exclusive use of nylon and 12-string acoustic guitars, and the 20th-century modernity of the melodies and harmonies all over Oracle, it's easy to miss the serious swing going on here. Of the utmost relevance for Oracle is Towner's work with his group Oregon--inadvertently instrumental in the rise of New Age and World Beat music, though the band operates in a much more rarified artistic atmosphere than most of the music in either of those genres. As a guitarist, Towner tends to slip under the radar that made his contemporaries--John Scofield, John Abercrombie, Bill Frisell, and Pat Metheny--icons of their instrument. But one listen to "Tramonto," a waltz in the style of Peacock's former employer, Bill Evans, easily establishes the equality of his jazz credentials. The interplay throughout Oracle helps define another genre that Towner (with ECM) and Peacock helped create: "chamber jazz." --Michael Ross

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CD Reviews

Amazing duo
Tyler Goodwin | 08/31/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am a huge Gary Peacock fan. I believe he is one of the most versatile bassists on the scene today, and his work in all types of ensembles shows remarkable musicality and adaptability. That said, this is actually my personal favorite Peacock recording to date. His compositions are the best since "Tales of Another" and his melodic phrasing on both his and Towner's compositions leave the listener wanting more to say the least. Towner's performance is equally soulful, and the two musicians play with such unity that the difficulty of playing in a duo of this instrumentation is never brought out in this performance. What really catches the listener is how well Towner's guitar and Peacock's bass blend together, the bended notes and string noise actually seem to add to the greatness of the music, as is only possible in a string duo. Every track is excellent and I wish these two would tour together so I could experience this group in a small recital hall, as I would imagine that type of venue would be best for this ensemble."
As good as "A Closer View"
K. Kirkland | Millburn, NJ | 02/17/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is one of 2 that Gary Peacock and Ralph Towner have collarborated on. The other title is mentioned above. These two wrap their sounds around each other's in such a complimentary way that they seem to be blood related. The variety tunes are ublime, soft, mysterious, textural, story-like and reveal themselves in an unstrained way. Lots of space between the notes, it bears lots of repeated listening. I wish they'd keep doing more projects.

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