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Anthony Braxton: Trio and Quintet (Town Hall) 1972
ByPerhaps Braxton's most important quality, howeverand this is what sets him head and shoulders above all composersis that he conceptualizes outside of time. In his interminably dalliances of spatial musical geometry, his wry notes hang as if on near-invisible, gossamer strings, dancing with seemingly suspended harmony, in tune with the melody that he relocates to a soundscape all his own. When notes are meant to be played with the rapidity of a rat-a-tat rhythm, he finds the magic to dislocate that rhythm, finding just the pulse around which to blow or bellow, swagger or gush with rare and forceful brilliance. Such a majestic performance is in evidence on a version of Jerome Kern's "All The Things You Are," played when the melody is suddenly encountered joyously, a breathless, devastating speed. The alto saxophone bends and discharges notes with such singularity that it appears positively malleable in Braxton's hands. Never has the instrument been played with such unbridled geniusnot since Charlie Parker and Sonny Stitt, at least.
Despite the fact that he stands head and shoulders above his peers, like some mythical character, Braxton also exudes abject humility. On "Composition 6 P I" and "Composition 6 P II," he is smitten by the character played with ingenuity by the marvelous Jeanne Lee. It is an absolute marvel to her how the gravitas of his contrabass clarinet is completely subsumed by the delicate beauty of Lee's voice, as she skitters and swoops and dives as if on the wings of fancy, while Braxton ducks and weaves to avoid colliding with the fey voice. Then he weaves in to swallow it and breathe his own version of the melody, coaxing Lee to revive herself again. There is a distant majesterium and only from this high space can a musician of Braxton's talent play with a voice as fluttering and graceful as Lee's is, without hunting and hurting its delicacy.
Clearly, then, Trio and Quintet (Town Hall) 1972 is an album of rare and enduring genius, and of such beauty that it stands the test of time by existing outside of musical space and time. This is what makes so utterly memorable.
Track Listing
Composition 6 N/Composition 6 (0); All The Things You Are; Composition 6 P I; Composition 6 P II.
Personnel
Anthony Braxton
woodwindsAnthony Braxton: alto saxophone (1--4), soprano saxophone, flute, contrabass clarinet, soprano and B-flat clarinet, percussion (3--4); Dave Holland: bass (1--4); Philip Wilson: drums (1, 2); John Stubblefield: tenor saxophone, flute, bass clarinet, gong, percussion (3, 4); Jeanne Lee: voice (3, 4); Barry Altschul: percussion, marimba (3, 4).
Album information
Title: Trio and Quintet (Town Hall) 1972 | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Hat Hut Records
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June 2011
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About Anthony Braxton
Instrument: Woodwinds
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