FERGUS McCREADIE TRIO - Live At Black Mountain
Limited Edition Release - Available from Bandcamp
Fergus McCreadie (piano); David Bowden (double bass); Stephen Henderson (drums)
Recorded at Black Mountain Jazz, Abergavenny
With the lockdown imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Fergus McCreadie has released this limited edition CD until some sort of normal service can resume, and is to be deleted as soon as the current crisis is over. Recorded at a concert for Black Mountain Jazz in Abergavenny, a small market town in South Wales, the trio features music from their debut album Turas as well as group improvisations.
The album opens with two extended pieces from their award winning debut album from last year, and the longer performances here allow the trio to develop the tunes in greater detail as they develop leaving no stone unturned, and therefore unveiling some unexpected detours before we reach our final destination. By doing so the three musicians greatly enhance the music we are familiar with. 'Mull' is three times the length of the original album version and yet there is never a dull moment. The trio work patiently through the composition taking time to savour the moment, and let each phrase , note and idea crystallize before moving on. This is also true of 'Ardberg' that builds over the first half of the piece into the gently swinging theme , bass and drums locked in as McCreadie builds up a head of steam before delving into his solo.
The level of empathy within the trio is remarkable. Often the music is complex but this is hidden in the way the three musicians work together, always listening and creating, and always totally in sync with each other. This understanding and almost telepathic communication is heard on 'Improvisation', a spontaneous piece of music making that as unhurried and delicate as the preceding compositions, and as 'Improvisation develops common ground is quickly found. The trio work seamlessly together as one with themes emerging and constantly morphing into the next idea. So complete is the music it is therefore easy drawn into the performance and forget that this is in fact not pre-composed or pre-meditated music making, but created in the moment. The set concludes with a lovely composition by the pianist, 'My Home', conveying poignantly the feelings, longing and sentiment that these seemingly simple words hold for many.
There is only a small window of opportunity to get yourself a copy of this wonderful album. Make sure that you don't miss it!
Reviewed by Nick Lea
Limited Edition Release - Available from Bandcamp
Fergus McCreadie (piano); David Bowden (double bass); Stephen Henderson (drums)
Recorded at Black Mountain Jazz, Abergavenny
With the lockdown imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Fergus McCreadie has released this limited edition CD until some sort of normal service can resume, and is to be deleted as soon as the current crisis is over. Recorded at a concert for Black Mountain Jazz in Abergavenny, a small market town in South Wales, the trio features music from their debut album Turas as well as group improvisations.
The album opens with two extended pieces from their award winning debut album from last year, and the longer performances here allow the trio to develop the tunes in greater detail as they develop leaving no stone unturned, and therefore unveiling some unexpected detours before we reach our final destination. By doing so the three musicians greatly enhance the music we are familiar with. 'Mull' is three times the length of the original album version and yet there is never a dull moment. The trio work patiently through the composition taking time to savour the moment, and let each phrase , note and idea crystallize before moving on. This is also true of 'Ardberg' that builds over the first half of the piece into the gently swinging theme , bass and drums locked in as McCreadie builds up a head of steam before delving into his solo.
The level of empathy within the trio is remarkable. Often the music is complex but this is hidden in the way the three musicians work together, always listening and creating, and always totally in sync with each other. This understanding and almost telepathic communication is heard on 'Improvisation', a spontaneous piece of music making that as unhurried and delicate as the preceding compositions, and as 'Improvisation develops common ground is quickly found. The trio work seamlessly together as one with themes emerging and constantly morphing into the next idea. So complete is the music it is therefore easy drawn into the performance and forget that this is in fact not pre-composed or pre-meditated music making, but created in the moment. The set concludes with a lovely composition by the pianist, 'My Home', conveying poignantly the feelings, longing and sentiment that these seemingly simple words hold for many.
There is only a small window of opportunity to get yourself a copy of this wonderful album. Make sure that you don't miss it!
Reviewed by Nick Lea
