Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Spooky Actions: Early Music

178

Spooky Actions: Early Music

By

Sign in to view read count
Spooky Actions: Early Music
Bruce Arnold and John Gunther return with their Spooky Actions project, an inventive improvisational interpretation of musics not often tackled by jazz-based units. Having already rearranged the thorny intricacies of Webern and the soaring power of Native American melodies, here they address the haunting subtleties of early music, including variations on themes by Monteverdi, Dufay, and Von Bingen, as well as Gregorian chant. The quartet achieves a skillful balance in creating modern arrangements that retain connections to the deep reverence of the originals.

With Gunther on flute and Mike Richmond on cello doubling the theme, Von Bingen's "De Virginibus O Nobilissima Viriditas" yields its gentle beauty nestled in the atmospheric processed guitar of Arnold. Kirk Driscoll's spare, steady percussion keeps the ethereal piece grounded. Arnold weaves clear-toned innovations on Dufay's "Vergine Bella." With Gunther on sensual soprano, Driscoll and Richmond create a breezy tension.

The brief take on Monteverdi's "Canzonet 1,2, & 3" has the light sophistication of a Ben Allison track, while "Gregorian Chant" gets a surprisingly vigorous reading. Likewise, "Introit, Gaudeamus Omnes" becomes a gentle whirlpool as the contrapuntal round unfolds. Based on music written in the second century BC, "Epitaph of Seikilos" appropriately emerges from a mist of Frippian guitar effects. Gunther's tenor doubles Richmond's bowed bass through the reflective theme, before sending smokey tones entwining electronic swells.

Driscoll and Richmond tap the joy of "Alleluya," with Gunther celebrating on flute. Arnold takes a wiry solo before supporting Gunther's extended flight. Arnold again electronically orchestrates on "Ode from the Kanon for Easter Sunday," setting the stage of Gunther's bass clarinet, and then bringing a springy altered guitar sound to the composition.

Spooky Actions manage to shine a modern light on ancient sacred music without bleaching the dark mysteries inherent in the initial design.

Track Listing

De Virginibus O Nobilissima Viriditas; Vergine Bella; Canzonet 1, 2, & 3 (from 21 canzonets for 3 instruments); Gregorian Chant, Introit, Gaudeamus Omnes; Epitaph of Seikilos; Alleluya (Nativitas); Ode from the Kanon for Easter Sunday.

Personnel

Bruce Arnold- electric processed guitar; John Gunther- flute, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, bass clarinet; Kirk Driscoll- drums, percussion; Mike Richmond- bass, cello.

Album information

Title: Early Music | Year Released: 2005 | Record Label: Muse Eek

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris
Candid
Sunny Five
Inside Colours Live
Julie Sassoon

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.