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Ran Blake: Vilnius Noir
ByStandards and covers make up the majority of the program on this limited edition LP, some by the likes of Ellington, George Russell and Michel Legrand, but others more obscure. These are placed alongside three Blake originals and one traditional folk song. Half the cuts feature Blake unaccompanied, there are five duets, and a solo for Fabris completes the recital. Blake elegantly deploys an encyclopedic knowledge of both modern classical and blues and gospel tonalities distilled into a deeply personal style in which he manipulates tempo and dynamics to suit his purpose. Tunes are approached obliquely. Shifting from the utmost delicacy to ringing crescendos, Blake implies harmony and rhythm, rarely using more than the bare minimum to make his point.
With his lucent tone and varied attacks, Fabris matches the pianist blow for blow as the spotlight shifts back and forth between them. They essay a spare, gentle melodicism on the opening two cuts, becoming more animated on Russell's "Jack's Blues/Stratusphunk," where they indulge in a fugue-like mirroring before a swinging section to take the medley out. "Mood Indigo" closes the set, with Fabris wielding his slide, exquisitely bending notes in consort with Blake's sideways hints. Alone, Blake displays a feather-light touch on the Yiddish lullaby "Shlof Mayn Kind," the notes like falling snow flakes. The rendition of Stevie Wonder's "My Cherie Amour" becomes almost garrulous in comparison with the rest of this intimate set, the theme easily recognizable, though typically embellished with digressions in the bass register or dissonant asides.
Track Listing
Vilna/Turning Point; Cry Wolf; In Pursuit; Shlof Mayn Kind; Jack's Blues/Stratusphunk; Driftwood; Sontagism; Watch What Happens/Papirosn; Thursday; Desafinado; My Cherie Amour; Mood Indigo.
Personnel
Ran Blake
pianoRan Blake: piano; David "Knife" Fabris: electric guitar.
Album information
Title: Vilnius Noir | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: NoBusiness Records
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