Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Gilad Barkan: Live Sessions

220

Gilad Barkan: Live Sessions

By

Sign in to view read count
Gilad Barkan: Live Sessions
Boston-based pianist Gilad Barkan flew onto the jazz radar screen with a couple of simultaneously-released discs: guitartist Issi Rosen's Dark Beauty (New Step Music, 2003); and his own Modulation (New Step Music, 2003). Barkan teamed with drummer Harvey Wirht, of Either/Orchestra fame on both discs, and with bassist Dan Greenspan on Modulation. The trio's sound had a bright and gregarious forward momentum on both of those CDs. Bassist Greenspan's Modulation work was always in the pocket, and I thought Barkan and Wirht complimented each other marvelously—the pianist's sparkling percussive touch versus Wirht's busy, off-center, full-of-surprises punctuation.

Wirht and Greenspan are back for Live Sessions, offing up more of the same style of sound.

The double CD set was recorded live on WGBH Radio in Boston. The resulting music is fresh and spontaneous as the group immerses itself in Barkan's always well-constructed compositions. On disc one, it's just the Barkan/Greenspan/Wirht trio, exploring some of the tunes from Modulation—"Amaaravati Devi is Getting Married," "Affection," "This is Love," "Modulation" and more. Disc two finds the trio joined by flutist Amir Milstein. The crisp-edged rhythmic scaffolding remains the same, with the cool, airy sound of Milstein's flute blowing in and out of the bumps and angles. It is, again, a complimentary relationship, resulting in a sound that's light yet firmly anchored.

The excellent Live Sessions is shaded by the sounds of the Middle-East—Barkan was raised in Israel—and Brazil. His music is filled with tenderness and optimism and always a sense of adventure and fun. There's always a sense that Barkan puts his life and positive spirit into the music, creating an uplifting listening experience.

Track Listing

CD1: Untitled; Modulation; Brazilian Suite #3; Affection; Amaravati Devi is Getting Married; Mr. Arnedo; Danilo's Dance; This is Love. CD2: A Place for My Father; For Sergio; Maya's Blues; Orr; Not a Samba; Song for Rachel; The Bull and the Lamb; Coming Home.

Personnel

Gilad Barkan: piano; Dan Greenspan: bass (CD1); ; John Lockwood: bass (CD2); Harvey Wirht: drums; Amir Milstein: flute (CD2).

Album information

Title: Live Sessions | Year Released: 2007 | Record Label: New Step Music

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

What Was Happening
Bobby Wellins Quartet
Laugh Ash
Ches Smith
A New Beat
Ulysses Owens, Jr. and Generation Y

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.