Search - Paul Motian, Bill Frisell, Joe Lovano :: Sound of Love

Stunning interplay

a superintelligent shade of the col | minneapolis | 04/15/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Marvelous album! The interplay among these three musicians is almost telepathic. Motian and Frisell are two of the finest minimalists in jazz history, and Lovano is more than happy to play in the open spaces. No one swings quite like this group, and their interpretations of Monk and Mingus are without peer. This is as good as jazz gets."

In the Vanguard

G B | Connecticut | 03/20/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the second of two Live at the Village Vanguard albums from the Paul Motian trio. Recorded in June 1995, it is a good sampling of what you'll hear if you go to their annual gig at that same club: some Monk, a standard, and a few Motian originals. The pot is sweetened by the Mingus ballad that gives this album its name.



The set opens with a brilliant, extended interpretation of Monk's "Misterioso". Frisell's countryfied solo (he plays nearly devoid of electronic effects on this disc) is a highlight. "Duke Ellington's Sound of Love" and "Good Morning Heartache" are fine ballad performances; the first is profound, the second is touching. As far as the Motian originals, "Mumbo Jumbo" is one of the drummer's best compositions and gets an intense reading here. Lovano's duet with Motian on the second half of the tune showcases both at their finest. "Once Around the Park" opens with a solo introduction by Frisell and slides into a very nice, swinging performance.



I highly recommend this disc. Its twin, Live at the Village Vanguard, is also excellent if not quite at Sound of Love's level. Nevertheless if you like one, get the other."