Jan 1 2018
So, let’s start out 2018 with Marzio Scholten, Kit Downes & Bill Frisell, because you’re probably hungover and could use something peaceful
Happy new year. I’m just saying right now, before we go any further, 2018 sure as hell better be an improvement over 2017. I’m gonna lay down some positive vibes with this post to get things moving in the right direction.
Speaking of things that are right, here’s something that proves there was still much to be grateful for in 2017. Marzio Scholten put out a solo guitar album nearly one year ago. We Never Left Town is full-on Americana folk, which isn’t really in this site’s wheelhouse, so I never really could find a spot to feature it… well, until today. But genre aside, it’s a beautiful album, and also an interesting departure from his 2016 release, Here Comes a Riot.
You can check the album out on Bandcamp. It’s also available at Amazon.
But just as we have things to be grateful for in our rear view mirror, the view ahead is no less sunny. Kit Downes has a new album coming out, and ECM Records wisely kept the pianist in the fold after his contribution to Thomas Strønen’s Time Is a Blind Guide (who, coincidentally, is getting a new release in January, too). Obsidian comes out later this month, and it features the ongoing collaboration between Downes and Tom Challenger. Their organ-saxophone duo project already has roots running deep into the landscape. It’ll be interesting to see how things get presented with the ECM touch. Here’s a promo video…
Downes has an Obsidian EPK on his YouTube page. You can pre-order it on Amazon.
And there’s no way that starting out a new year with Bill Frisell can ever be a bad thing. Might be the best thing ever, as far as I’m concerned. For a year in which I’m having to summon up every reserve of hope, it’s appropriate that we go with Frisell’s gorgeous composition “Throughout” to guide us into 2018.
You can find this song on Frisell’s 1983 release In Line. Go buy it at Amazon. It’s gorgeous.
Alright. That should get us in good shape to start 2018. Just as soon as your head stops hurting or you feel safe to step outside and see if 2017 is truly gone. Good luck and be well. Cheers.
Greg Bear
January 2, 2018 @ 6:04 pm
Dave: Thanks for the positive musical start to 2018! Picking Bill Frisell’s “Throughout” made it impossible for me not to reach out to you. Hands down, one of my absolute favorite works by Frisell. I have yet to find a version I don’t like. Masterful. Much bleated, but wanted to pass long—I also throughly enjoyed and agreed with your review of the recent Frisell/Morgan release. Your insight: “It recaptures much of the past magic of Frisell’s body of work, and it accomplishes this by distilling things down to their barest, simplest elements, and watching as they resonate like mad. To make it, once again, just about the act of creativity. No, there’s no point to Small Town and, for a change, that’s okay.” Spot on. Thank you for these things and many more highlights that you provide year in and year out. Cheers!
davesumner
January 2, 2018 @ 7:59 pm
Hey, Greg, thanks for the kind words, and glad to find I’m not the only one enchanted by “Throughout.”
I’m still quite pleased with “Small Town.” I was concerned at first if my positive reaction was fueled by relief that it wasn’t some 60s rock cover festival, but as the year has gone on and I keep returning to the album, I find my happiness with it hasn’t changed.
Happy new year to ya. Look forward to shooting the breeze some more.
Cheers,
Dave