HIROMI - (The Trio Project) - Move, Live in Tokyo
Telarc DVD TEL -35561-09
Hiromi Uehara (piano & Keyboards) Anthony Jackson (contrabass guitar) Simon Phillips (drums)
Specific dates and location not given
Captured in live performance the diminutive but highly energetic Japanese piano star, Hiromi leads her pile driving trio in a concert of pieces that replicates the playlist of her audio CD of the same name. This a rare instance of the visual element adding value to the aural experience because without it I have the feeling that Hiromi’s music, like that of Bad Plus and to some extent EST, would become tedious.
Her virtuosity is staggering and the way she dispenses it leaves even the couch potato watching her, bathed in perspiration. She shifts in her seat, stands, leaps, dances , pounds the piano, fixes her colleagues with meaningful , penetrating eye contact from over the keyboard, her animation becoming more agitated as the tension in the music heightens.
And what of the music that engenders such passion? Well it is largely driven by ostinato motifs, interspersed with Bach like contapuntalism, Racmaninov like climaxes releasing into boppish progressions as well as a bit of Japanese minimalism with the themes occasionally supported by electronic effects. At times the pieces seem like exercises in sheer physical endurance and I imagine that without the visual stimulus that is exactly how they will impinge upon the ear of the CD listener but for those who attend live performances seeking the spectacle of sustained excitement typical of a rock concert this will fit the bill perfectly.
All the music is attributed to Hiromi so the opener `Move` has nothing to do with its famous namesake by Denzil Best. She is supported in her endeavours by two superb session musicians: Anthony Jackson, the inventor of the six string contrabass guitar stabilises the momentum both in terms of his musical contribution and his demeanour, remaining seated throughout seemingly impervious to the physical workout taking place on either side of him. Having extra strings to his bow enables him to contribute to the melodic lines as well as articulating the pulse. British hard rock drummer Phillips is as equally photogenic as Hiromi in terms of physicality of performance but his finely nuanced solo in the encore track reveals him to be a musician of masterful virtuosity rather than a muscular thrash merchant despite presiding over a monster kit which includes two bass drums and numerous cymbals.
In the context of this live performance captured on DVD the sound and fury is certainly not insignificant and it would take a very jaundiced sceptic not to be overwhelmed by Hiromi’s performance ; in the cold light of audio reflection, however, the music may prove as ultimately insubstantial as oriental cuisine.
Reviewed by Euan Dixon
Telarc DVD TEL -35561-09
Hiromi Uehara (piano & Keyboards) Anthony Jackson (contrabass guitar) Simon Phillips (drums)
Specific dates and location not given
Captured in live performance the diminutive but highly energetic Japanese piano star, Hiromi leads her pile driving trio in a concert of pieces that replicates the playlist of her audio CD of the same name. This a rare instance of the visual element adding value to the aural experience because without it I have the feeling that Hiromi’s music, like that of Bad Plus and to some extent EST, would become tedious.
Her virtuosity is staggering and the way she dispenses it leaves even the couch potato watching her, bathed in perspiration. She shifts in her seat, stands, leaps, dances , pounds the piano, fixes her colleagues with meaningful , penetrating eye contact from over the keyboard, her animation becoming more agitated as the tension in the music heightens.
And what of the music that engenders such passion? Well it is largely driven by ostinato motifs, interspersed with Bach like contapuntalism, Racmaninov like climaxes releasing into boppish progressions as well as a bit of Japanese minimalism with the themes occasionally supported by electronic effects. At times the pieces seem like exercises in sheer physical endurance and I imagine that without the visual stimulus that is exactly how they will impinge upon the ear of the CD listener but for those who attend live performances seeking the spectacle of sustained excitement typical of a rock concert this will fit the bill perfectly.
All the music is attributed to Hiromi so the opener `Move` has nothing to do with its famous namesake by Denzil Best. She is supported in her endeavours by two superb session musicians: Anthony Jackson, the inventor of the six string contrabass guitar stabilises the momentum both in terms of his musical contribution and his demeanour, remaining seated throughout seemingly impervious to the physical workout taking place on either side of him. Having extra strings to his bow enables him to contribute to the melodic lines as well as articulating the pulse. British hard rock drummer Phillips is as equally photogenic as Hiromi in terms of physicality of performance but his finely nuanced solo in the encore track reveals him to be a musician of masterful virtuosity rather than a muscular thrash merchant despite presiding over a monster kit which includes two bass drums and numerous cymbals.
In the context of this live performance captured on DVD the sound and fury is certainly not insignificant and it would take a very jaundiced sceptic not to be overwhelmed by Hiromi’s performance ; in the cold light of audio reflection, however, the music may prove as ultimately insubstantial as oriental cuisine.
Reviewed by Euan Dixon
