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Lars Danielsson: Libera Me
ByWith guests including Norwegians Nils Petter Molvaer on trumpet, Jon Christensen on drums, and Jan Bang on samples, along with saxophonist David Liebman, the ingredients are all there for a fine recording. And some tracks work better than others. The opening track, "Asta," melds abstraction with a more direct melodicism. "Suffering" brings to mind some of the orchestral work on guitarist Pat Metheny's Secret Story , and Danielsson's folk-like bass melody is attractive in a melancholy way. But other tracks, including the title track and "Cornelia," as rich and beautiful as they are, tend to blend together into something more monotonous.
The best tracks on the record are those where Danielsson is left alone with Christensen. "The Teacher" is a folksy piece that features Christensen at his elastic best, and Danielsson's reading of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" is equally vivid. These two tracks prove, in fact, that less is definitely more, as they allow Danielsson and Christensen to speak volumes within a simpler context.
And the bonus track, "Asnah," demonstrates what this record could have been had the orchestra been used either more sparingly. Starting with simple drums and percussion supporting Danielsson's searching cello; Bang's samples gradually and subtly enter, as does Caecilie Norby's voice, more effective here than on the syrupy easy-listening vocal track "Newborn Broken." Molvaer, using a more pure organic tone than on his own recordings, is equally adept at developing the more ambient soundscape of the track. And the orchestra is back in the mix, creating a simple but lush backdrop that is more about texture and landscape.
This SACD hybrid recording was beautifully crafted at Oslo's Rainbow Studio with engineer Jan Erik Kongshaug, home and technician behind so many classic ECM recordings. While Libera Me is unquestionably a well-crafted album for those who want to simply sit back and be enveloped by something that doesn't confront or challenge, it is in the odd man out tracks"The Teacher," "Both Sides Now," and especially "Asnah"where we hear what this album could have been and, perhaps, should have been. Hopefully they are harbingers of what Danielsson has in store next time around.
Track Listing
Asta; Suffering; The Teacher; Newborn Broken; Libera Me; Shimmering; Granada; Both Sides Now; Forever You; Bird Through the Wall; Cornelia; Asnah (bonus).
Personnel
Lars Danielsson
bassJon Christensen
drumsNils Petter Molvaer
trumpetDave Liebman
saxophoneAnders Kjellberg
percussionJan Bang
live samplingCarsten Dahl
pianoTobias Sjogren
guitarCaecilie Norby
vocalsLars Danielsson (acoustic bass, cello, piano, guitar), Jon Christensen (drums, percussion), Nils Petter Molvaer (trumpet), Xavier Desandre Navarre (percussion), David Liebman (soprano saxophone), Anders KJellberg (cymbals), Jan Bang (samples), Carsten Dahl (piano), Tobias Sjogren (guitar), DR Danish Radio Concert Orchestra, conducted by Frans Rasmussen
Special guest: Caecilie Norby (vocals on "Newborn Broken")
On "Asnah" only: Lars Danielsson (cello, samples), Jon Christensen (drums), Nils Petter Movlaer (trumpet), Caecilie Norby (voices), Jan Bang (samples), Xavier Desandre Navarre (percussion), DR Danish Radio Concert Orchestra.
Album information
Title: Libera Me | Year Released: 2004 | Record Label: ACT Music
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