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Ulrich Gumpert / Gunther Baby Sommer: Das Donnernde Leben
ByThe opening "Locker vom Hocker" is a case in point; it soundtracks two musicians seemingly intent on making music for the sake of it rather than trying to maximize the moment. Over the course of eight minutes, the music takes on a number of facets, each of them subject only to the whim of one or the other of the players.
Things don't improve on "Ermutigung," where a slightly portentous air permeates the proceedings to such a degree that the brevity of the piece is a blessing. What really clinches itand not in a good wayis the politeness of the reading, especially as it comes from two players capable of reaching far more profound accommodations with the silence.
In view of that, "Free For Two" might just be so much hokum, or perhaps the kind of thing to be found in an unusually hip piano lounge. Either way the conventions of the piece cannot be ignored for all of Sommer's aptitude for inserting some kind of drive.
The fire this duo might promise on paper is ignitedalbeit brieflyon "Soldat, Soldat," before an unsurprisingly martial air prevails. What is unquestionably surprising, however, is the very lack of surpriseeven in the duo's relatively free, and indeed relatively brief dialogue. It tantalizes, only to pass with unnecessary haste.
"Von C bis C" isn't more of the same in any overt sense, but what the two pieces share is an all too earthbound sense, and the feeling of two musicians marking timebut without stating ituntil inspiration comes to the fore again. Sommer busies himself sufficiently to suggest that the piece might have benefited considerably from far lengthier exposition, but it's hard to get past the impression of noodling.
Things come together effectively enough on "Inside Out Shout," but this might have happened to far more trenchant effect if one or the other of the duo had asserted himself. As it is, the music is pervaded by a variety of torpor, as if both men were pacing themselves for more demanding, perhaps less contrived settings.
Track Listing
Locker vom Hocker; Von C bis C; Blues für P. K.; Ermutigung; Free For Two; Inside Outside Shout (Sommer); Funk For Two; Kami-Fusen; Soldat, Soldat; Free Of All; Das kann doch nicht alles gewesen sein.
Personnel
Ulrich Gumpert
pandeiroUlrich Gumpert: piano; Günter Baby Sommer: drums, percussion.
Album information
Title: Das Donnernde Leben | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: Intakt Records
Comments
About Ulrich Gumpert
Instrument: Pandeiro
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