GARY PEACOCK TRIO - Now This
ECM 471 5388
Marc Copland (piano); Gary Peacock (double bass); Joey Baron (drums)
Recorded July 2014
This latest offering from Gary Peacock was released to coincide with the bassist's 80th birthday on 12th May, but somewhat overshadowing that was the news that Keith Jarrett was disbanding his trio. The 'Standards Trio' as they were frequently referred to with Peacock and drummer, Jack DeJohnette had been together for some thirty years and news of the break up of the group came as a surprise and shock to many.
If the bassist's work with Jarrett helped to raise the bar of the trio format, proving again (if proof be needed) that there is plenty more to be said in this tried and tested line-up, it should also be remembered that he filled a similar role in the groups of Paul Bley and Bill Evans. Despite playing in the some of the most influential trios in the history of the music, Peacock has never been shy to express his own music in the trio format. Not looking to compete or better or even equal the work of his former leaders, the bassist has followed his own path and in doing so contributed greatly having perhaps viewed the music from a different perspective.
In a long career spanning more that more than five decades not only has Peacock performed with some of the greatest names in jazz but has also worked in contrasting area of the music from structured, composition based material to some of the freer areas of the music. Such extremes from the work of leaders such as Bill Evans, Paul Bley's more exploratory approach and the headlong rush of Albert Ayler ingrained a deep sense of how he could participate in and contribute to the music, and in doing so developed an approach to the instrument that is immediately identifiable. This is therefore much in evidence in this latest recording.
Much of the material featured on Now This will be familiar to followers of Peacock's work having been recorded on other album he has recorded for ECM, yet there is never any hint that revisiting familiar material is taking the easy option, as each is recast with this particular line-up in mind. This has led to many of the pieces taking on a completely new life from previous versions as the trio open up the possibilities of the setting and the compositions with each member contributing to the maximum. Often solos blur into ensemble passages, or the lead being passed from piano to bass and back again, ably supported and commented upon by Baron's superlative work behind the kit.
The trio breathe new life 'Requiem', formerly heard as a quintet with Jan Garbarek and Palle Mikkelborg onGuamba (1987) and 'Moor' that was featured on Paul Bley with Gary Peacock on what just the third ECM release in 1970. In each instance, the trio re-examine the music presented to create new and exciting music, and with a nod to his lineage from one bassist to another there is heartfelt reading of Scott LaFaro's 'Gloria' Steps'.
The Standards Trio maybe no more, but let us hope that there is still more to come from the Gary Peacock Trio.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
ECM 471 5388
Marc Copland (piano); Gary Peacock (double bass); Joey Baron (drums)
Recorded July 2014
This latest offering from Gary Peacock was released to coincide with the bassist's 80th birthday on 12th May, but somewhat overshadowing that was the news that Keith Jarrett was disbanding his trio. The 'Standards Trio' as they were frequently referred to with Peacock and drummer, Jack DeJohnette had been together for some thirty years and news of the break up of the group came as a surprise and shock to many.
If the bassist's work with Jarrett helped to raise the bar of the trio format, proving again (if proof be needed) that there is plenty more to be said in this tried and tested line-up, it should also be remembered that he filled a similar role in the groups of Paul Bley and Bill Evans. Despite playing in the some of the most influential trios in the history of the music, Peacock has never been shy to express his own music in the trio format. Not looking to compete or better or even equal the work of his former leaders, the bassist has followed his own path and in doing so contributed greatly having perhaps viewed the music from a different perspective.
In a long career spanning more that more than five decades not only has Peacock performed with some of the greatest names in jazz but has also worked in contrasting area of the music from structured, composition based material to some of the freer areas of the music. Such extremes from the work of leaders such as Bill Evans, Paul Bley's more exploratory approach and the headlong rush of Albert Ayler ingrained a deep sense of how he could participate in and contribute to the music, and in doing so developed an approach to the instrument that is immediately identifiable. This is therefore much in evidence in this latest recording.
Much of the material featured on Now This will be familiar to followers of Peacock's work having been recorded on other album he has recorded for ECM, yet there is never any hint that revisiting familiar material is taking the easy option, as each is recast with this particular line-up in mind. This has led to many of the pieces taking on a completely new life from previous versions as the trio open up the possibilities of the setting and the compositions with each member contributing to the maximum. Often solos blur into ensemble passages, or the lead being passed from piano to bass and back again, ably supported and commented upon by Baron's superlative work behind the kit.
The trio breathe new life 'Requiem', formerly heard as a quintet with Jan Garbarek and Palle Mikkelborg onGuamba (1987) and 'Moor' that was featured on Paul Bley with Gary Peacock on what just the third ECM release in 1970. In each instance, the trio re-examine the music presented to create new and exciting music, and with a nod to his lineage from one bassist to another there is heartfelt reading of Scott LaFaro's 'Gloria' Steps'.
The Standards Trio maybe no more, but let us hope that there is still more to come from the Gary Peacock Trio.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
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