FÄHNDRICH/DORAN/SHNYDER/WETTSTEIN - Âme Sèche
Leo Records CD LR 827
Walter Fäehndrich: viola, voice; Christy Doran: guitar; Remo Schnyder: saxophone; Samuel Wettstein: electronics
Quand l'âme est sèche, c'est là qu'elle est la plus sage et la meilleure (Heraclitus)
When the soul is dry, it is there that it is the wisest and the best
I suspect that this is what was meant in naming this unusual album – unusual, first off, in that the four musicians have such very different backgrounds and palates. Oh, not just different, but wildly diverse; they are all leaping or diving through hoops in order to achieve electrifying, free improvisation that will allow their passionate invention to flower, notwithstanding the miscellany of their roots and experiences. These range madly from Avant-jazz, Classical and Jazz, through Fusion, Improvisation and Noise. The result is a most radical Improv, as the quartet searches relentlessly for innovative sounds and to discover personal and original musical conclusions, the like of which we have never before conceived.
The masterful improvisation at times depends on the switches between, say, academic avant-garde and any form of experimental music – at either end of that spectrum, think John Cage, Diamanda Galás, Edgard Varèse, or La Monte Young. Perhaps the list is infinite. My delight in the music certainly is! I have found it to be ardent, artless and astounding, awe-inspiring and electrifying, imposing and inventive; it is stunning, unusual and unique.
The instruments move between sounds which are for the viola animated and energetic, and for the saxophone poignant and affecting. Between these the guitar comes on all forceful, though vivacious and the drummer reveals his zealous, histrionic assortment of musical language expression.
Every possibility is explored, even quiet and calm, showing that no stone is unturned.
Reviewed by Ken Cheetham
Leo Records CD LR 827
Walter Fäehndrich: viola, voice; Christy Doran: guitar; Remo Schnyder: saxophone; Samuel Wettstein: electronics
Quand l'âme est sèche, c'est là qu'elle est la plus sage et la meilleure (Heraclitus)
When the soul is dry, it is there that it is the wisest and the best
I suspect that this is what was meant in naming this unusual album – unusual, first off, in that the four musicians have such very different backgrounds and palates. Oh, not just different, but wildly diverse; they are all leaping or diving through hoops in order to achieve electrifying, free improvisation that will allow their passionate invention to flower, notwithstanding the miscellany of their roots and experiences. These range madly from Avant-jazz, Classical and Jazz, through Fusion, Improvisation and Noise. The result is a most radical Improv, as the quartet searches relentlessly for innovative sounds and to discover personal and original musical conclusions, the like of which we have never before conceived.
The masterful improvisation at times depends on the switches between, say, academic avant-garde and any form of experimental music – at either end of that spectrum, think John Cage, Diamanda Galás, Edgard Varèse, or La Monte Young. Perhaps the list is infinite. My delight in the music certainly is! I have found it to be ardent, artless and astounding, awe-inspiring and electrifying, imposing and inventive; it is stunning, unusual and unique.
The instruments move between sounds which are for the viola animated and energetic, and for the saxophone poignant and affecting. Between these the guitar comes on all forceful, though vivacious and the drummer reveals his zealous, histrionic assortment of musical language expression.
Every possibility is explored, even quiet and calm, showing that no stone is unturned.
Reviewed by Ken Cheetham
