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Travis Sullivan's Bjorkestra: I Go Humble
ByWhat the album does not have, of course, is Bjork herself. Becca Stevens sits in for the namesake, and as all the songs are new to these ears, it's impossible to say how she measures up to her exemplar. Stevens sings on every track save "Isobel," Nowell's low-key arrangement for jazz quintet. As for the lyrics, which Sullivan lauds as "an expression of an ever-expanding and evolving process," perhaps they are more readily understood and appreciated by Icelanders. They certainly left this listener cold as ice, not to mention bewildered. Cole Porter or Irving Berlin she ain't. On the other hand, the words may make perfect sense to those of Bjork's (younger) generation who are pretty much unaware of what they have missed.
On "Hunter" and "Unravel," Sullivan uses Ian Cook's "laptop programming," whatever that is, to create an ethereal soundscape that may or may not be to pleasing, depending on one's predilection for or aversion to such ancillary trappings. Art Hirahara, a splendid pianist (as he shows on "I Go Humble"), further embellishes the supernal mood on "Hunter" by employing a synthesizer, the pivotal theme superseding Yoshi Waki's introductory bass solo. Sullivan's alto sax is used to good effect on "Hyperballad," somewhat less so (after an animated solo by Nowell) on the martial "Army of Me." As noted, Bjork's music is for the most part agreeable, if less than memorable, and the Bjorkestra plays it well. The question is, what to make of it? That is up to listeners to decide. Some may find it uplifting, others tedious. That's what make the world go 'round.
Track Listing
Hyperballad; Venus As A Boy; Hunter; I Go Humble; Isobel; Army Of Me; Unravel; Joga.
Personnel
Travis Sullivan
saxophone, altoTravis Sullivan: alto saxophone; Becca Stevens: vocals; Ian Cook: laptop programming; Sean Nowell: tenor saxophone; Lauren Sevian: baritone saxophone; Ryan Keberle: trombone; Alan Ferber: trombone; Kevin Bryar: trumpet; Eli Asher: trumpet; Kelly Pratt: trumpet; Art Hirahara: piano; Yoshi Waki: bass; Joe Abbatantuono: drums.
Album information
Title: I Go Humble | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: Zoho Music
Comments
About Travis Sullivan
Instrument: Saxophone, alto
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