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Elliot Galvin Trio: Dreamland
ByThe sparse yet resonant dynamics of tracks such as "13," "Waiting" and "Apollo 17" are reminiscent of the great early Howard Riley Trio records distinguished dually by power and sensitivity. The frenetic "Periodical Cicada" may qualify as one of the shortest tracks ever recorded, lasting a mere 15 seconds, but with a paradoxically large number of notes packed into it.
"Azaro" reverts back to toy piano with bass and drums, then moving into conventional piano with the strings muted by object unknown (a bottle?) to give a tinny effect. The net effect is superficially comedic but is underpinned by both skill and imagination, the final bars embellished by dramatic staccato chords.
"Lulu" is essentially Thelonious Monk on acid with some Erroll Garner thrown in for good measure. The final track, "Canon," to all intents and purposes, is a contrapuntal pastiche, played fast but gradually mutating into an accelerando ending, finishing at almost breakneck speed.
This first class debut album from a sublimely talented trio is indicative of great things to come. It is refreshing to hear a pianist of Galvin's calibre so able to tease (in every sense of the word) this highly original music into so many different shapes with such apparent ease. Notwithstanding the comical cover art and frequent humorous allusions, this is seriously good stuff. Most crucially, he avoids falling into the trap of trying to emulate everyone else.
Track Listing
Ism; Blues; Dance Macabre; Four Chords; 13; Waiting; A Major; J.J.; Apollo 17; Periodical Cicada; Azaro; Lulu; Canon.
Personnel
Elliot Galvin
pianoElliot Galvin: piano, toy piano; Tom McCredie: double bass; Simon Roth: drums
Album information
Title: Dreamland | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: Chaos Collective
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Elliot Galvin Trio
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Dreamland