Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Scott Dubois: Banshees

208

Scott Dubois: Banshees

By

Sign in to view read count
Scott Dubois: Banshees


Scott Dubois thrives on mercuriality. The guitarist-composer writes and plays with a starkness and moodiness that suits him perfectly, as displayed on Banshees. The shifts of focus and varying tempos make the music as fluid and intriguing as a Dalì painting.



Dubois shows off his Metheny-influenced licks on “Mid to the West” and saxophonist Gebhard Ullmann shows immediately that he’s an acolyte from the upper register school of tenor playing. Thomas Morgan’s private-eye slick bass drives “Bend,” with Dubois playing lightning riffs and Ullmann shadowing him with harmonic effects on the soprano, frenetically exploring the full range of the horn from tip to tail. “Canaria” is built upon a barren landscape, with the irregular heartbeat of Morgan’s stark single-spaced pizzicato notes, Dubois’ somber guitar and Ullmann’s bass clarinet acting as a voice crying in the wilderness. The tune teems with desolation. “Old Man on Platform” has the same type of sadness initially, but broadens into a kind of suite, with movements ranging from more of Ullmann’s screeching to Dubois’ rock-influenced explorations. The faux military march pounded out by drummer Kresten Osgood, followed by the deep-voiced dialogue between Ullmann’s bass clarinet and Morgan’s bass, provide the satirical bent of “Mouse Song,” a tune in the vein of Mingus’ “Fables of Faubus.”



The foundation of Banshees revolves around wide-open yet thoughtfully modulated improvisation, Dubois masterfully negotiating the tightrope between free expression and anarchy. He brings all of these eclectic musical elements together to produce an impressive and memorable disc.

Track Listing

Mid to the West; Bend; Canaria; Inverse; Mouse Song; Old Man on Platform; Apparition.

Personnel

Scott Dubois: guitar; Gebhard Ullmann: tenor and soprano saxophones, bass clarinet; Thomas Morgan: bass; Kresten Osgood: drums.

Album information

Title: Banshees | Year Released: 2008 | Record Label: Sunnyside Records

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.
View events near New York City
Jazz Near New York City
Events Guide | Venue Guide | Local Businesses | More...

More

Fiesta at Caroga
Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective
Fellowship
David Gibson
Immense Blue
Olie Brice / Rachel Musson / Mark Sanders

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

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