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Lisa Parrott: Round Tripper
ByParrott, whose stock in trade is resourceful improvisation, at least with her regular employer, the all-woman big band DIVA, shows all too little of that here, preferring instead to emphasize the group dynamic with drummer Matt Wilson, bassist Chris Lightcap and especially guitarist (and fellow Aussie) Carl Dewhurst. While there's nothing wrong with that, and the group does interact agreeably, it would have been a treat to hear Parrott in a more unrestrained (straight-shooting) habitat. Even when joined by DIVA sidekick Nadje Noordhuis, as she is on "Do You Think That I Do Not Know" and "Waltzing Matilda," Parrott seems to be playing well within her prescribed boundaries.
An exception is the buoyant "Um a Zero," on which Parrott salutes her musical forbears with phrases that are both singular and swinging. Bernie McGann's "D. Day," which follows, is another swinger on which Parrott and Dewhurst playfully spar to good advantage while Wilson and Lightcap design a colorful rhythmic tapestry. Parrott divides her time between alto ("Rosa Takes a Stand," "Dancing Laughing," Um a Zero," "D. Day," "Waltzing Matilda") and baritone ("Do You Think," "I Don't Know What," "Round Trip"). Noordhuis plays flugel on "Do You Think," trumpet on the traditional Australian folk song "Waltzing Matilda."
In sum, high marks for equilibrium and energy. A more than respectable quartet date that one suspects could have been even better had strategy and circumstances dictated.
Track Listing
Rosa Takes A Stand; Dancing Laughing; Do You Think That I Do Not Know; Um A Zero; D. Day; I Don't Know What; Round Trip; Waltzing Matilda.
Personnel
Lisa Parrott
saxophoneLisa Parrott: alto saxophone, baritone saxophone (3, 6, 7); Matt Wilson: drums; Chris Lightcap: double bass; Carl Dewhurst: guitar (1-6, 8); Nadje Noordhuis: trumpet (8), flugelhorn (3).
Album information
Title: Round Tripper | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: Serious Niceness Records