Bassist William Parker is well known on the international jazz scene for his work as a sideman in bands led by Cecil Taylor and others, but he's also an excellent leader and composer in his own right. Here Parker is the ob... more »vious linchpin, spurring both his partners on with his imaginative ear for melody and rhythm. Rhythmic soul mate and drummer Hamid Drake answers the call, propelling these cuts with a free-time pulse that is urgent without being overbearing. Often raising his horn in long sonorous sounds and gentle phrasing, reedist Daniel Carter keeps things laid back and musical throughout. While Painter's Spring marks the first meeting of this group (as such), the trio works through Parker's material (plus Ellington's "Come Sunday" and the traditional "Balm in Gilead") with a nice light touch that might surprise those familiar with the musicians' previous work. This is a rare case when the music lives up to the potential and even offers a few revelations. --Tad Hendrickson« less
Bassist William Parker is well known on the international jazz scene for his work as a sideman in bands led by Cecil Taylor and others, but he's also an excellent leader and composer in his own right. Here Parker is the obvious linchpin, spurring both his partners on with his imaginative ear for melody and rhythm. Rhythmic soul mate and drummer Hamid Drake answers the call, propelling these cuts with a free-time pulse that is urgent without being overbearing. Often raising his horn in long sonorous sounds and gentle phrasing, reedist Daniel Carter keeps things laid back and musical throughout. While Painter's Spring marks the first meeting of this group (as such), the trio works through Parker's material (plus Ellington's "Come Sunday" and the traditional "Balm in Gilead") with a nice light touch that might surprise those familiar with the musicians' previous work. This is a rare case when the music lives up to the potential and even offers a few revelations. --Tad Hendrickson
CD Reviews
I just want to hug these guys
Ian Muldoon | Coffs Harbour, NSW Australia | 11/14/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There's many cd's I own which I don't listen to more than once. Many. This is not one of them. Apart from anything else, it is incredibly well programmed to provide variety and breathing space for the listener. I mean it opens with a stunner - the first of three works called Foundation which I take to be "free" but show the trio in its churning, driving, expressive, joyful and swinging groove - the "foundation" of " THE music" perhaps. But it also has a standard classic by Duke Ellington, a arco bass solo by the leader (in itself a tremendous piece which Mr J.S. Bach might well have said "Yeah Man! Want a job?") some impressionist pieces featuring the flute of Mr Carter(much else besides though on tenor, clarinet and alto) and much fabulous work by the percussionist Mr Drake - sometimes his drumming provides an almost orchestral feel to some parts of the music, sometimes it's like motes of light, illuminating the darker sounds of the bass. To tell the truth, this music really speaks to me and I feel I just want to hug these guys. Much played and much appreciated."
An interesting date.
teresa ruggles | olathe, KS United States | 07/19/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"William Parker remains to be one of the most innovative bassists on the scene today, a definite poster boy for the avant garde. Painter's Spring is part of the Thirsty Ear records Blue Series. This series is under the supervision of Matthew Shipp (he released Pastoral Composure as the first album if the series) another player in the field of new creative improvised music and a long time partener of Parker's. This is an interesting date for Parker in that most of the music seems predetermined. most of his other work is stickly improvised. That is not to say predetermined is bad. This album smokes and it swings very hard in some places...most notably Foundation #1. Hamid Drake, a frequent Parker collaborator in groups such as the Die Like A Dog Quartet, lays it down. and New York reedist Daniel Carter show his diversity as both a lyrical player and a screaming post Albert Ayler player. very good stuff and great for anyone wanting to get turned on to William Parker and all of his great projects."
Parker keeps growing
Stephen | Virginia Beach, VA USA | 07/24/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Like David S Ware and Matthew Shipp, PArker has released a cd that relies a little more on the "tune" and less on the high energy collective improv. As with his frequent partners, this may be parker best release.The foundation tracks are possibly the best here but PArker's solo take on the trad. "There is a Balm..." is quite beautiful. Carter and Drake are excellent partners for this music. Hopefully this group will remain active along with In Order to Survive and Little Huey."
Great Music from Parker and Co.
B Narasimhan | San Francisco, CA | 08/14/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I first heard William Parker with David S. Ware and Matthew Shipp and was impressed with his playing. He shows here that he is an excellent composer too. This album has some great playing, especially on the three foundation tracks. I hadn't heard Daniel Carter before this, but he is a great sax player. A lot calmer than Ware but very lyrical and interesting. Parker is in excellent form throughout, powering the music along like an avant-garde Charles Mingus. This really is an excellent album and adventurous listeners should definitely check it out."
Bass at its best
Case Quarter | CT USA | 01/09/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"similar to greg osby's channel three in that of the drums, bass, and horns/flute, at moments the recording doesn't have any instrument sounding more dominant than the others. except on painter's spring, william parker's bass backed by and in conjunction with the drums of hamid drake pretty much steal the show. you would expect the horns and flute out front and at times it is daniel carter to whom you are listening. but you never forget parker is there, a virtuoso, a master artist who shows what an upright bass is capable of in the hands of a highly creative player. really, william parker is that good. there are quite a few bassists who are excellent composers, usually their writing skills are an act generosity for horns or an orchestra, the more dominant sounds in deference to, well...what the bass can't do. william parker might just be the first bass player and composer who writes truly for the bass. painter's spring is a must listen to recording if you want to hear bass beyond soloing and laying down a beat, parker goes much much further."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1