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Peter Brötzmann / Paul G. Smyth: Tongue In A Bell
ByThis 2015 live concert at the National Concert Hall in Dublin captures, with brilliant sound, this piano/reeds duo. It is a loud and intimate affair, and that's not an oxymoron. When Brötzmann is in the house, plaster and mortar are at risk. The same can be said with Smyth at the piano, very much like the saxophonist's recent duos with pedal steel guitarist Heather Leigh, the machine gun adds a bit of a suppressor. But the saxophonist sheds none of his patented intensity.
The disc is comprised of the title track at 25 minutes and two shorter duos clocking in less than 10. The guess is that these two artists had never previously performed together. They open with the rapid churn of white waters, as a way to get their bearings and chase unsuspecting smooth jazz fans from the concert hall. Brötzmann's tenor saxophone blasts ballistic notes against the dense chords and, at times, the fists of Smyth. As their boat settles less notes come forth, but their strength intensifies. Eventually, Brötzmann moves to the background and Smyth produces a bright and shimmering solo. Rejoined by the the saxophone, the pair ease into a blues riff favorite by the saxophonist. Again, Brötzmann quiets and Smyth carries the mail, Cecil-like. Next the saxophone is swapped for taragato. With this this conversation dives deeper as the two have become confederates. The lengthy track signals its endpoint with Smyth's roiling thunder of notes as Brötzmann quiets his demons. The remaining two tracks are more intimate, with Smyth working more of the interior and body of his piano, and Brötzmann on clarinet before ending on tenor. Its hello/goodbye, let's meet again soon.
Track Listing
Tongue In A Bell; Falling Out Of All The Towers Of Space; Eyes Wide.
Personnel
Peter Brötzmann
woodwindsPaul G. Smyth
pianoAlbum information
Title: Tongue In A Bell | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: Weekertoft
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Peter Brötzmann / Paul G. Smyth
Album Review
Mark Corroto
Tongue In A Bell
Weekertoft
Peter Brotzmann
Fred Van Hove
Misha Mengelberg
Alexander von Schlippenbach
Cecil Taylor
Heather Leigh