Joe McPhee & Dominic Duval: The Dream Book
McPhee swaps sax for trumpet on “Moffet’s Motif” slurring rueful phrases while Duval generates percussive patters on the wooden body of his bass. “Old Eyes” salutes the Coleman himself in an opening alto solo that brings tears to the eyes with its blatant beauty. “Caught In the Moment,” which is for David Izenzon, is curious in that Duval sticks to pizzicato, avoiding his bow and the arco technique for which Izenzon was so renowned. The bassist unsheathes his bow briefly on “And Then Red,” for Scott LaFaro, a tune is steeped with tactile melancholy. The concluding “Celebration” celebrates Don Cherry in a solo coda for pocket trumpet. McPhee’s lucent lines on the brass instrument that Cherry first made his leaps forward on in Coleman’s original quartet make for a fitting end to this priceless disc. In his liners McPhee makes the point that so often tributes are made after their recipient has passed. Taking the lead he shows us that rather than waiting for their absence, we should honor such mentors with thanks while they are still among us.
Personnel
Joe McPhee: woodwinds.
Album information
Title: The Dream Book | Year Released: 1999 | Record Label: Kedar Entertainment Group