Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Marc Ribot Trio: Live at the Village Vanguard
Marc Ribot Trio: Live at the Village Vanguard
ByLive at the Village Vanguard is the group's debut recording as a three piecea change in lineup due to Campbell's passing earlier this year. The date is notable on at least two accounts: it marks Ribot's first time leading an ensemble at the venerated jazz club and simultaneously documents Grimes return to the stage where he last performed with Ayler in 1966, for a concert that was taped and released as Albert Ayler in Greenwich Village (Impulse!, 1967). Invoking spirits of the past, Ribot's trio offers rhapsodic interpretations of Ayler and John Coltrane tunes, as well as a surprisingly understated pair of standards, conveying "Old Man River" and "I'm Confessin' (That I Love You)" with lyrical sensitivity and restraint.
The majority of the set entails a much broader range of dynamics than the aforementioned ballads however. Opening with a majestic version of Coltrane's "Dearly Beloved," the threesome gracefully ascend to a rapturous modal climax before a rowdy rendition of "The Wizard" reveals connections to rural folk music traditions. The epic centerpiece "Bells" is given a suitably expansive work-out that veers from pensive pointillism to ecstatic expressionism, while a fervent take on "Sun Ship" ends the session on a high note.
Encouraged by an audibly appreciative audience, Ribot transforms blistering cadences into hypnotic, mantra-like refrains, evoking Ayler's transcendent Old World spirituality. Grimes' contributions provide harmonic ballast and textural detail, perfectly underscoring Taylor's adroit, animated accompaniment. Emboldened by the trio's impassioned rapport, Live at the Village Vanguard draws pertinent parallels to Ayler's 1966 recording, providing salient historical context for Ribot and company's protean effort.
Track Listing
Dearly Beloved; The Wizard; Old Man River; Bells; I’m Confessin’ (That I Love You); Sun Ship.
Personnel
Marc Ribot
guitarHenry Grimes: bass, violin; Marc Ribot: guitar; Chad Taylor: drums.
Album information
Title: Live At The Village Vanguard | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Pi Recordings
Comments
Tags
Marc Ribot Trio
CD/LP/Track Review
Marc Ribot
Troy Collins
Pi Recordings
United States
T Bone Burnett
john zorn
Albert Ayler
Roy Campbell
Chad Taylor
Henry Grimes
John Coltrane
Live at the Village Vanguard