Bill Frisell & Thomas Morgan – Epistrophy (ECM) CD / 2LP

Product Description

Like their acclaimed ECM release Small Town of 2017 – which The Guardian called “wistful and mesmerizing… tonally ingenious and haunting” – Epistrophy by guitarist Bill Frisell and bassist Thomas Morgan was recorded at New York City’s Village Vanguard.

The new album once again captures the rare empathy these two players achieve together in this intimate environment. There are further poetic takes on pieces from the duo’s Americana songbook (“All in Fun,” “Red River Valley,” “Save the Last Dance for Me”), as well as another intense version of a composition by Paul Motian (“Mumbo Jumbo”), an artist whom both the guitarist and
bassist knew well.

Frisell and Morgan communicate the essence of Billy Strayhorn’s “Lush Life” and the Frank Sinatra hit “In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning,” so much so that the famous words seem to hang in the air even without a singer. At the centre of the album is a pair of pieces by Thelonious Monk: the funky, angular “Epistrophy” and the ruminative ballad “Pannonica.” And as with “Goldfinger” on Small Town, Frisell and Morgan offer a glowing duo interpretation of a melody- rich John Barry title tune from a James Bond film – “You Only Live Twice”.

Personnel: Bill Frisell (guitar), Thomas Morgan (double bass)

FORMAT: LP 180 gram vinyl

Tracklist:

All In Fun / Wildwood Flower/Save The Last Dance For Me / Mumbo Jumbo / You Only Live Twice / Lush Life / Epistrophy / Pannonica / Red River Valley / In the Wee Small Hours Of The Morning

ECM

CD: 5770156
LP: 7739824

Additional Information