Patricio Morales: La Tierra Canta

If it has been some time since you listened to Ralph Towner, like a few decades or so, it may not be immediately obvious what classical guitarist Patricio Morales is doing. It may not even be obvious that he is playing jazz, although, by Morales' own account, Towner was a mentor and huge influence when he first came to New York. Morales went on to study with Towner on the West Coast. He subsequently toured with him as well. Morales also came under the influence of Gary Peacock and John Abercrombie, settled for a time in Europe, and eventually made a living by writing music for television and films. He later returned to the United States.

But Morales is Chilean by birth, and when someone listens to this Latin American band, one also hears the influence of the famous Chilean folk group, Quilapayún. It is the same sort of feel, ethereal yet percussive, although, save a reference to realismo mágico, the sort of fiction made famous by writers like Colombian Gabriel García Márquez or the Argentine Julio Cortázar, not even remotely political. Morales and his compañeros can play what they want and say what they want, at least for now. The homegrown demons that had to be exorcised are neither gone nor forgotten, but their ability to destroy lives has been, in some significant measure, reduced.

Morales describes the music on offer as "impressionistic memories from my native Chile" a collection of "playful and lyrical odes." That is as good a description as anyone might provide and the musicians are as superb as they are spellbinding. Oddly enough, some of Morales' compositions have an almost Celtic lilt. An ethnomusicologist might explain why, but the sound is simply enjoyable in itself. "Rural Reflections" and "Canción Para Despedir a Emilia" are especially soulful. This is music for reflection, peace, and solitude. Really, nothing further need or could be said.

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