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Bill Frisell: Richter 858
ByLet me disclose up front that I've liked very much some of the music Frisell has involved himself withtrumpeter Ron Miles' Heaven, his work on Dave Douglas's Strange Liberation for example. But many of the recordings under his own name Ghost Town comes immediately to mindhave struck me as a bit stiff and musically micro-managed and unspontaneous. This one doesn't have that problem. Recorded live, the sound of Richter 858 feels fresh and loose; and Frisell's guitar, with the signal processingsubtle sometimes, eerie and "Twilight Zone-ish" occasionally ("858-6"); or with an Appalachian/Irish tone on "858-7"fits with a surprisingly natural ease into the classical accompaniment. And this is not to suggest that Frisell is the front man. The set fits very much into the chamber mode, no instrument dominating.
I've noticed in Richter's paintingsespecially the cover art, a close-up of a section of painting 858-3that parallel lines, warped just slightly off the chalk-line straightnessplay a large part in the visual artisty. I'm not sure that the four sets of parallel strings employed here, plucked or bowed just slightly out of parallel, played any part in the consideration for the commission of the project; but it seems logical, if only in retrospect.
With an often brooding and very classical atmosphere, along with the addition of the subtle metallic tang of Frisell's electric guitar, I find this his most compelling work, one that has set me to re-listening to his past sounds.
Track Listing
858 1 Through 8
Personnel
Bill Frisell
guitar, electricBill Frisell--guitars and electronics; Jenny Scheinman--violin; Eyvind Kang--viola; Hank roberts--cello
Album information
Title: Richter 858 | Year Released: 2005 | Record Label: Songlines Recordings
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About Bill Frisell
Instrument: Guitar, electric
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Songlines Recordings
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Richter 858
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