Wolfgang Muthspiel / Mick Goodrick: Live at the Jazz Standard (2010)

John Barron

CD/DVD Reviewer since 2007

This writer enjoys listening to past giants and anyone else who doesn't try to sound like them.

Recent articles (188 total)

Published: June 23, 2010

Wolfgang Muthspiel / Mick Goodrick: Live at the Jazz Standard

Guitarists Wolfgang Muthspiel and Mick Goodrick Mick Goodrick
b.1945
guitar, electric are two like-minded explorers of fretboard possibilities. Goodrick, the elder, has been a renowned performer and educator for over forty years, working with the likes of Gary Burton Gary Burton
b.1943
vibraphone , Jack DeJohnette Jack DeJohnette
b.1942
drums and Steve Swallow Steve Swallow
b.1940
bass . Muthspiel, Goodrick's former student at Berklee College of Music has performed with Peter Erskine Peter Erskine
b.1954
drums , Paul Motian Paul Motian
1931 - 2011
drums and Norwegian jazz singer Rebekka Bakken, among others.

On Live at the Jazz Standard, an intimate duo recording from 2008, both guitarists generate a crystal clear tone with deep sustained lows and rounded highs. Aside from the shared sonic attributes, however, the two play with uncanny stylistic similarities; approaching chord voicings and single-note lines with a pianistic elegance. Muthspiel picks a little heavier and his soloing is slightly more aggressive. This type of exuberance is a harmonious fit to Goodrick's patient unraveling of ideas with no wasted notes.

The set list includes guitarist Bill Frisell Bill Frisell
b.1951
guitar 's meditative "Throughout," Swallow's "Falling Grace" and a handful of free-form improvised pieces. The two really settle into a communicative groove on the standards "All the Things You Are," "Darn That Dream" and "Stella By Starlight."

More than a disc for guitar enthusiasts, the pairing of Muthspiel and Goodrick results in a thoughtful CD, accessible and full of high-end musical expression.

Track Listing: Throughout; Introduction to All the Things; All the Things You Are; Liebeslied; Minimal; Falling Grace; Zen; R.E.M; Darn That Dream; Stella By Starlight.

Personnel: Wolfgang Muthspiel: guitar; Mick Goodrick: guitar.

Record Label: Material Records
Style: Modern Jazz