Chadbourne/Dresser/Ibarra/Morris: Pain Pen (2002)

Mark Corroto

Senior Contributor since 1999

Mark misses his large dog Louie, but endeavors daily to find and listen to new and interesting sounds.

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Published: September 1, 2000

Chadbourne/Dresser/Ibarra/Morris: Pain Pen

There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but there is free-jazz and Eugene Chadbourne has been one of its stars for many years. He has worked with every free jazz musician, plus Camper Van Beethoven, They Might Be Giants, and John Zorn. Likewise, Boston guitarist Joe Morris has been making waves of late with his own group for AUM, Knitting Factory, and Omnitine records. Bassist Dresser is a veteran of recording dates with John Zorn, Anthony Braxton, Tim Berne, Greg Bendian, and Arcado String Trio. Suzie Ibarra, a sought after Downtown drummer, has made some amazing recordings on her on label Hopscotch and has worked with David Ware, Matthew Shipp, and William Parker.

Together for the first time the quartet sets aside the obvious noise avenue for interaction. Chadbourne plays banjo on several tracks to Morris’ guitar. Free-banjo, a new concept to these ears, adds simplicity to the double-string attack. In all the flurries, the layers and layers of sound, Dresser bowing, Chadbourne picking and Morris spinning, the drumwork of Ibarra comes to the front. Focusing your attention over and over during the tracks. The band breaks into duo and trio formats never lapsing into familiarity. Freedom means never having to play a common chord.

Track List:Pullpipanpipaino; Painlipensiberos; Poolialoofair; Aposuniufibers; Upslinelibberos; Lobeilairliberos; Leinileansberos; Oanseeabiears; Pallipaleipunop; Ourlilesiallana.

Personnel: Eugene Chadbourne

Record Label: Avant
Style: Modern Jazz