Search - Pierre De Bethmann :: Oui (Dig)

Rhodes scholar...

Larry L. Looney | Austin, Texas USA | 11/01/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...and yeah, I know that title's not especially original, but in this case, it fits like a glove.



Pierre de Bethmann is someone I've only recently discovered through some short online samples - I was so blown away that I had order a copy of this CD. The creativity and versatility I heard initially have held up very well indeed through repeated plays. Pierre played earlier with the Moutin Reuinion Quartet - and for all I know still performs with them, you know how prolific these jazzers are...! - this is the sixth release under his leadership, the third under his name alone (as opposed to leading a group), and it's filled with fine playing from all participants. His work with the Moutin brothers included both acoustic piano and Rhodes - in his own work, he lets the latter be the center of things, and he does some pretty incredible things with it.



This is a medium-sized ensemble (full credits below) whose talents fit together as perfectly as one could wish - everyone blows, supports or lays out at just the right spots, and there's no one who doesn't get a chance to shine. Pierre's compositions are thoughtful and at times daring, yet they sacrifice neither melody, harmony, counterpoint nor rhythm for the sake of experimentation - this is vibrantly listenable music, always moving, never boring. The two saxes, the guitar, and de Bethmann's keys circle each other, occasionally shooting off in seemingly opposite directions, only to re-converge with a vengeance - and Jeanne Added's wordless vocals are every bit as much of a welcome presence as the other instruments. The rhythm section is rock-steady through complex and intriguing changes of time signature - as difficult as this music must be to perform, it has to be rewarding for the participants. It certainly is for the listener.



Turn it up and hold on...



the players :

Jeanne Added - voix

Stéphane Guillaume - saxophone alto

David El Malek - saxophone tenor

Michael Delberbaum - guitare

Vincent Artaud - contrebasse

Franck Agulhon - batterie

Pierre de Bethmann - Rhodes"