Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Enrico Pieranunzi/Paul Motian: Doorways

Enrico Pieranunzi/Paul Motian: Doorways

By Mark F. Turner
December 5, 2004
View read count

Doorways is an exhilarating duo release featuring veteran musicians drummer Paul Motian and pianist Enrico Pieranunzi. While Motian may be more recognized in the U.S. for his work on hundreds of recordings, Pieranunzi is also a force to be reckoned with both as a musician and composer, as witnessed on the recent recording FelliniJazz . He gives new listeners a further display of the brilliant capabilities he has honed over the many years in Italy and Europe with numerous projects and musicians. Special guest saxophonist Chris Potter, who is making a name in jazz circles, adds his accomplished voice on three selections.

The edgy and progressive recording captures and also demands the listener's attention with thirteen pieces that deliver unbridled musical ideas and also draw attention to the high level of communication between the musicians. Composed by Pieranunzi, the music is at times tense, playful, and probing, but never routine. Pieranunzi plays with a colorful and percussive style that can be vigorous or calming, and at 70+ years young Motian still brings fresh and crisp drum work that is the perfect addition to Pieranunzi's free ideas.

"Double Excursion 1 and 2" set the tone with dynamic and flurried sounds while the poignancy of slower pieces like "Suspension Point" finds the artists articulating a softer message that is just as effective. The trio pieces with saxophone are equally if not more elevated in form. "Anecdote" features Potter providing blistering sax work and is appropriately titled, as each instrument gives a frenzied musical account with interweaving solos around a theme. Doorways is a vivid, heady, and rewarding recording for those who like their jazz adventurous.

Track Listing

Double Excursion 1; Double Excursion 2; Doorways; No Waltz For Paul; Utre; Blue Evening; Anecdote; Suspension Points; Double Excursion 3; Words Of The Sea; The Shifting Scene; The Heart Of A Child; Utre (alternative version).

Personnel

Enrico Pieranunzi

piano

Enrico Pieranunzi, piano; Paul Motian, drums; Chris Potter, tenor and soprano saxophones on "Doorways", "Anecdote" and "The Heart Of A Child."

Album information

Title: Doorways | Year Released: 2004 | Record Label: CAM Jazz

About Enrico Pieranunzi

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Joanna Pascale: When Lights are Low
< Previous

Of Love and Peace
Next >

Become a Sustaining Member

Since 1995, All About Jazz has championed jazz as an art form and supported the musicians who create it. Over three decades, it has grown into one of the world's leading jazz resources, serving hundreds of thousands of readers, musicians, presenters and industry professionals each month.

Help Build the Future of All About Jazz

Your support helps us continue building All About Jazz for the next generation—expanding our editorial coverage, preserving jazz history, developing new community features and creating better ways to discover the music and the people behind it.

Become a sustaining member for as little as $20 per year and you'll immediately enjoy an ad-free experience along with access to subscriber features and future articles for a full year.

Together, we're not simply sustaining All About Jazz—we're building its future. Thank you for being part of the journey.