Home » Jazz Articles » Extended Analysis » Bengt Berger: Bengt Berger: Beches Brew BIG + BAG

4

Bengt Berger: Bengt Berger: Beches Brew BIG + BAG

By

Sign in to view read count
Bengt Berger: Bengt Berger: Beches Brew BIG + BAG
Swedish master drummer and bandleader Bengt Berger calls his own label Country & Eastern, a title that suggests a fresh mix of new modes of expression and impulses from some of the great musical traditions of the world. Berger claims that this label provides the best Al Dente music, and when it comes to his nine-piece Beches Brew BIG, an obvious reference to Miles Davis' Bitches Brew (Columbia, 1970), he is absolutely right.

The Beches Brew Big is a deeper and powerful extension of the Beches Brew quintet who released its debut in 2010 (Country & Eastern). Both versions of this band serve as a vehicle for Berger—who studied the Hindustani, Karnatic and West African musical traditions and collaborated frequently with Jonas Knutsson, keyboard player Mats Öberg and banjo players and guitarists Goran Klinghagen and Max Schultz.

Knutsson's deep emotional solo on "Over The Hill" spirals the original theme to a beautiful climax. Klinghagen, violinist Livet Nord and saxophonist Thomas Gustafsson lead us through a mysterious journey in East-Asian scenery on "Penye Gahu," setting an infectious vamp for the ironic "Seven Stops to Heaven" (a play on Miles Davis' "Seven Steps to Heaven}} that is intensified on the following, fast eruption of "Metapolka."

"Djupet" (Deep) is a dramatic staging of a text of William Shakespeare, narrated by Livet, accompanied by a bass clarinet by Sir Thomas Jäderlund that stresses the dramatic atmosphere. The band makes a short and equally dramatic tour in a Balkan modes on "Pizza Express" before closing the concert with two favorites. "Edith," with guest vocalist Jenny Gustafsson, is an excellent demonstration of Berger swinging hard and alternating between rhythms, and the folk dance "Morfars Schottis," to the words of Mats Nörklit (this composition was recorded on Bengt Berger Old School's All Time high, Amigo, 1999).

Berger offers eight additional, digital-only pieces on Beches Brew BAG ("for fanatics only") that include other pieces and alternate takes from the same concerts. These pieces include the bluegrass meets jazz meets Indian "Dr. Apa," another moving version of "Over the Hill," the delicate drama of "Eight Fortyfive A.M" and the festive "Happy Hindu." There is a agood chance that anyone who experienced this great band will become a fanatic.

Track Listing

BIG: Babel Twist; Till Mera; Over The Hill; Penye Gahu; Seven Stops To Heaven; Metapolka; Djupet; Pain; Pizza Excess; Edith; Morfars Schottis. BAG (Bonus): The Largo Swamp; Neander Tala; Dr Apa; Over The Hill; Dawn; Eight Fortyfive A.M.; Pain; Happy Hindu.

Personnel

Bengt Berger
percussion

Livet Nord: voice, violin; Jonas Knutsson: soprano, alto and baritone saxophones, percussion; Thomas Gustafsson: soprano and tenor saxophones; Sir Thomas Jäderlund: voice, sopranino and alto saxophones, bass clarinet; Mats Öberg: harmonica, keyboards; Göran Klinghagen: banjo, guitar; Max Schultz: voice, banjo, guitar; Stefan Bellnäs: bass; Bengt Berger: drums; h: Jenny Gustafsson: voice.

Album information

Title: Bengt Berger: Beches Brew BIG + BAG | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: Country & Eastern

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.
View events near Stockholm
Jazz Near Stockholm
Events Guide | Venue Guide | Local Businesses | More...

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.