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Charlie Ballantine: Where Is My Mind?
ByThe title tunewhich is indeed a Pixies coveropens with some warped electronic sounds before launching into the tune proper. Ballantine and Gardier take turns playing the tune and the accompaniment pattern, and while the leader maintains a rock feel even while soloing, there are saxophone solos that effectively overlay an overtly jazz approach. "Futuretown" goes for freedom and grunge in equal measure: Ballantine sounds like a different guitarist on it. Sun Kil Moon's "Carissa" is a dark ride with the lyrics, but without them it becomes a delicate waltz ballad. It includes creative electronic processing on the flute, different enough that it may not even be identifiable at first listen.
The "Where Is My Mind?" reprise is a short blast of electronic dub. The traditional tune "Wayfaring Stranger" strays closest to Bill Frisell territory (one of Ballantine's avowed major influences). It's a potent blend of looping with acoustic and electric guitars, another effective example of the subtle guitar layering that characterizes much of the album. "The Last One" closes the set, a brief, melancholy unplanned collective improvisation at the end of a night of recording. It's a fitting conclusion to an album that blends spontaneity with meticulous post-production, and shows little regard for stylistic categories: jazz, rock and folk music peacefully coexist in Charlie Ballantine's world.
Track Listing
Real Things; Jones; Hallways; Where Is My Mind?; Telluride; Birds; Future Town; Carissa; Where Is My Mind? (reprise); Wayfaring Stranger; The Last One.
Personnel
Charlie Ballantine
guitarCharlie Ballantine: guitar; Amanda Gardier: alto saxophone, flute; Jessie Whittman: bass; Jay Tibbitts: drums.
Album information
Title: Where Is My Mind? | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Self Produced
Comments
About Charlie Ballantine
Instrument: Guitar
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