Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Giovanni Moltoni: Openground

Giovanni Moltoni: Openground

By Mark Corroto
October 18, 2003
Sign in to view read count

The jazz guitar in this modern era has often been like Godzilla in Tokyo. It dominates, rocks, and blots out the sun. Okay, not Jim Hall’s guitar – but in this MTV world, our focus and attention naturally falls upon the guitarist. The 21st century listener’s frame of reference for all things guitar is rock and roll.

Just the opposite is the beauty of guitarist Giovanni Moltoni’s Openground. His unobtrusive manner is certainly antithesis of rock. Like a recording by Hank Jones or Charles Lloyd, his music breathes and gives the listener’s ears a sonic massage. The trio heard here are all Berklee College faculty members. The Italian-born Moltoni has been teaching there for the past six years. While there is nothing groundbreaking here, there is a subtle allure and sophisticated swing that has kept this disc in heavy rotation around these parts.

The disc opens with an almost waltz, “After The Rain.” The ease at which the three trade off notes with such casualness informs the remainder of the album. Moltoni penned all the tracks, seven for the trio and two solo. “Sometimes I Will” is played electric and the closer “White & Blue” for his acoustic guitar.

It’s not that Moltoni can’t rock out. Both “Altered Fill” and “The Feast” take hints from jazz’s more aggressive forms. Yet, there is plenty of space present throughout. The boppish “Blues For Sale” is a fresh take on classic blues chords, all three players trading off and passing around notes.

Moltoni’s elegance and simple lines bear repeated listenings.

Track Listing

After The Rain; Song For Jen; Look At The Bright Side; Sometimes I Will; Altered Fill; Leaving Early; The Feast; Blues For Sale; White & Blue.

Personnel

Giovanni Moltoni

guitar

Giovanni Moltoni - Guitar; Paul Del Nero - Bass; Bob Tamagni - Drums.

Album information

Title: Openground | Year Released: 2003 | Record Label: C#2 Music

< Previous
Peace Round

Next >
What Nature Intended

Comments

About Giovanni Moltoni

Instrument: Guitar

Tags

For the Love of 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 create 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.

You Can Help

To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve 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.