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Matt Wilson's Arts & Crafts: The Scenic Route

By Troy Collins
January 28, 2007
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Matt Wilson's Arts & Crafts: The Scenic Route

Drummer Matt Wilson's Arts and Crafts ensemble has followed a somewhat more mainstream path than some of his previous efforts. With each release, Wilson has been slowly expanding the concept of this unconventional quartet with an eclectic and exploratory ear. Arts & Crafts' third album on Palmetto Records, The Scenic Route, is as varied and rewarding as either of the group's previous efforts.

A solid mainstream player, trumpeter Terell Stafford represents the group's dominant solo voice, acquitting himself well in the company of more free-ranging musicians like organist/pianist Gary Versace, who replaces Larry Goldings this time out. Bassist Dennis Irwin again co-pilots the ensemble alongside Wilson, whose focus on structure and subtle rhythmic variations takes precedence over flashy solos and extroverted playing.

Sideman gigs and collaborations with such luminaries as Charlie Haden, Dewey Redman and Lee Konitz, as well as peers like Ben Allison, Fred Hess and Tom Varner have demonstrated Wilson's aptitude playing everything from standards to free improvisations. This versatility enables the ensemble to vacillate freely between both worlds.

Blending styles and genres, Wilson offers a handful of original tunes presenting a rich overview of the creative possibilities of today's modern mainstream. Invoking the classics, Wilson bolsters his original tunes with buoyant covers of Thelonious Monk ("We See"), Ornette Coleman ("Rejoicing"), Bobby Hutcherson ("Little B's Poem") and Pat Metheny ("The Bat").

Despite the varied palette, this esoteric mix avoids pedestrian eclecticism with careful sequencing, allowing the tunes to flow seamlessly. Wilson even manages to blend vintage Donald Ayler with a Beatles tune on the closing medley, "Our Prayer/Give Peace a Chance," summing up the group's multifarious capabilities. Opening with ethereal free musings on an Ayler-penned gospel/folk-theme, colored by sputtering accordion, winsome clarinet, buzzing trumpet and skittering percussion, they segue into a chanting vocal refrain, blending wearily knowing protest music with timeless forms, making a statement for the ages.

Visit Matt Wilson on the web.

Track Listing

The Scenic Route; We See; 25 Years of Rootabagas; Feel the Sway; Rejoicing; The Bat; In Touch with Dewey; Little B's Poem; Tenderly; Our Prayer/Give Peace a Chance.

Personnel

Matt Wilson

drums

Matt Wilson: drums, percussion, vocals; Terell Stafford: trumpet, flugelhorn; Gary Versace: piano, organ, accordion; Dennis Irwin: double bass, clarinet; Karlie Bruce, Ayana Del Valle, Elizabeth Dotson-Westphalen: vocals.

Album information

Title: The Scenic Route | Year Released: 2007 | Record Label: Palmetto Records

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