Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Patrick Battstone and Richard Poole: Mystic Nights

81

Patrick Battstone and Richard Poole: Mystic Nights

By

Sign in to view read count
Patrick Battstone and Richard Poole: Mystic Nights
Pianist Pat Battstone and vibraphonist Richard Poole's Mystic Nights follows a small but illustrious tradition duo recordings including Gary Burton and Chick Corea's Crystal Silence (ECM, 1972) and Visions (Steeplechase, 1979), from Sun Ra and Walt Dickerson.

Also a pianist, Poole shows significant musical sympathy with Battstone who, having studied with Burton, also has a deep understanding of his colleague's instrument. This camaraderie is heard best on "Reflections," with each instrument reflecting—but not mimicking—the other with crystalline flowing notes, like a brook flowing into a pond. On the contemplative "Scottish Heather," piano and vibes echo each other like chimes in the wind of the melody creating a nocturnal mood.

A Zen-like atmosphere permeates some of the tunes, like the cinematic "Life Stories" and almost oriental-sounding "Gin and Tonic," with its rapid piano scales precisely punctuated by Poole's resonant mallets.

Battstone exhibits some classical avant-garde leanings, strumming the innards of his piano on the atonal "Newsreel" and delivering a Debussy-esque solo on the melancholic "Magical Morning." Hints of the blues appear on the spirited and free-flowing dialogue that characterizes "When Creatures Reigned," with Battstone's Cecil Taylor-informed energy and percussive approach.

Elsewhere, bop-like flairs and Latin touches mark the otherwise free-flowing improvisations of "Cross Currents," where Poole's muted colors and Battstone's brighter palette complement each other perfectly as they fade into silence. This stimulating disc closes with the title track, Poole's mallets vibrating harmoniously with Battstone's harp-like picking of the piano strings, as it evolves into an angular yet mellifluous song that ends with ominous bangs and silent pauses.

This unique set of 13 improvised pieces creates an intensely meditative and mystical ambience filled with satisfyingly thought-provoking ideas. Mystic Nights can be enjoyed casually, but requires a careful and intent listening to be fully appreciated.

Track Listing

Scottish Heather; Summer Sunset; Gin and Tonic; Something Lurking; Newsreel; Undertow; When Creatures Reigned; The Miller's Tale; Magical Morning; Life Stories; Reflections; Cross Current; Mystic Nights.

Personnel

Patrick Battstone: piano; Richard Poole: vibes.

Album information

Title: Mystic Nights | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: Self Produced

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.

More

Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris
Candid
Sunny Five
Inside Colours Live
Julie Sassoon

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

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