Rating:
Genre:
Jazz
Release Date: 06/25/2002
Run Time: 61:33
Eric von Essen never recorded as a leader during his lifetime, though he played bass and cello as a sideman on a number of memorable releases between 1980 and 1994. This third (and evidently, final) volume of his original compositions features a number of different artists, including a few who collaborated with him on earlier releases. Guitarist
Nels Cline, with whom the composer made his recording debut, plays 12-string acoustic guitar with
Ken Filiano's arco bass in the moving
"Blues for Me," which isn't really a
blues at all. Violinist
Jeff Gauthier and drummer
Alex Cline, both of whom appeared on
von Essen's first date as well, join the guitarist and bassist
Michael Elizondo for the tense, very complex
"Unresolved." The brisk,
Latin-flavored
"It's Just One Big Party" showcases tenor saxophonist
Chuck Manning and pianist
Theo Saunders. The delightful trio arrangement of
"Norton's Last Words" is not a slow, mournful elegy as its title might imply, but a catchy
post-bop vehicle with superb solos by pianist
Jeff Colella and bassist
Putter Smith.
"Finska Flues" is a roller coaster ride centered around
Stacy Rowles' tasty flügelhorn.
Kate McGarry contributed the vocals and the lyrics to the reflective
"One Eye Laughs, One Eye Weeps," which she also performed at
Eric von Essen's funeral.
Jazz fans should regret the premature death of this talented composer before he had a chance to record many of his compositions, though at least his friends and admirers seem dedicated to making his rewarding music more widely known.
~Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
;)
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