Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Steve Swallow/Ohad Talmor Sextet: L'Histoire du Clochard...

Steve Swallow/Ohad Talmor Sextet: L'Histoire du Clochard (The Bum's Tale)

By Jim Santella
October 13, 2004
View read count

Steve Swallow/Ohad Talmor Sextet: L'Histoire du Clochard (The Bum's Tale)

Using Igor Stravinsky's "Soldier's Tale" as its model, L'Histoire du Clochard (The Bum's Tale) combines the depth of Ohad Talmor's symphonic orchestration with the lyricism of Steve Swallow's writing. Composed by Swallow and arranged by Talmor, the seven pieces tell a story. Their innovative sextet takes its audience on a journey through natural landscapes. Dark, ancient forests, looming mountains, and relaxed marketplaces come and go as the ensemble moves seamlessly through a panorama of sounds. The result is a swinging affair with classical overtones: chamber jazz.

While Swallow's electric bass appears to lead the session, everyone participates equally in this cohesive project. The timbres of trumpet, violin, clarinet, trombone and tenor saxophone mix casually. The tale they're interpreting contains little dramatic spice. The fragrance draws, instead, from sweeping meadows and lush evergreens. The bum in question leads a relaxed life.

With Talmor's orchestration on the intro to "Ladies in Mercedes," we find trombone leading, with the other voices combining to form a distinct faux accordion timbre. A syncopated rhythm sashays easily, as each sextet member portrays impressions of industrious city life. Talmor's tenor saxophone solo recalls the fluid activity of a society in action, while the mix creates a cause for celebration. Elsewhere, the action remains slower and less hurried as The Bum's Tale reveals a life of ease and a love of good music.

Track Listing

Making Ends Meet; Sweeping Up; Chelsea Bells; Some Echoes; Ladies in Mercedes; Hullo Bolinas; I'm Your Pal.

Personnel

Steve Swallow

bass

Steve Swallow: bass; Chad Talmor: tenor saxophone; Russ Johnson: trumpet; Meg Okura: violin; Greg Tardy: clarinet; Jacob Garchik: trombone.

Album information

Title: L'Histoire du Clochard (The Bum's Tale) | Year Released: 2004 | Record Label: Palmetto Records

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Heavy Juice
< Previous

Pucho Brown: 'Soul Brother' Number O...
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make 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.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves 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.