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Dave Douglas/Louis Sclavis/Peggy Lee/Dylan Van Der Schyff: Bow River Falls
The jaunty ebullience of "Blinks," by the late Steve Lacy, provides the first workout, with Douglas and Sclavis exchanging turns through the solo sections. The mood shifts on the title tune, becoming more spacious and atmospheric, with Van Der Schyff's laptop sounds and Lee's mournful cello creating a cushion for Douglas' tender muted trumpet. Percussion is often used as color, not just rhythm, as on Sclavis' "Fete Forraine," with its lolling pace and airy unison melody. Lee provides a walking pulse for the brass/reed lines of "Maputo," which finds Sclavis' rich, woody bass clarinet solo trailing into a Douglas flight, before the cellist adds a haunting solo to the episodic composition.
The insistent, building movement of Douglas' "Petals" finds fluttering trumpet accompaniment to Sclavis' solo, often locking with the cello, while the percussive flourishes push the intensity. Lee's "Retracing 2" unfolds in waves, the dynamics ebbing and flowing. "Paradox," the Douglas standard (making its third recorded appearance), closes the set with its shifting melody and gentle swagger, supporting Sclavis' incendiary solo and Van Der Schyff's marching rolls and nimble work around the kit.
The colors and textures assembled on Bow River Falls reflect its diverse cast and the flowing results suggest that the musicians found common ground to communicate. Hopefully, this will be an auspicious start for continuing collaboration.
Track Listing
Blinks; Bow River Falls; Fete Forraine; Window; Maputo; Petals; Retracing 2; Dernier Regards/Vol; Woman at Point Zero; Dark Water; Paradox
Personnel
Dave Douglas
trumpetDave Douglas (trumpet), Louis Sclavis (clarinet, bass clarinet), Peggy Lee (cello), Dylan Van Der Schyff (drums, laptop)
Album information
Title: Bow River Falls | Year Released: 2004 | Record Label: Premonition Records
About Dave Douglas
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