LYNNE ARRIALE - Giving Us These Days
When it comes to pianists, and piano trios in particular there is no dearth of talent out there. The piano trio has been a staple in the history of the music for many years, and it never ceases to amaze me that such trios not only produce such great music, but that the format continues to surprise and develop as the musicians all find new ways to establish their own identities.
One such musician is Lynne Arriale who for more than twenty five years has been delighting audiences around the globe with her immensely personal and lyrical piano playing, and London audiences get the opportunity to hear Lynne at the Pizza Express in Soho on 14th and 15th October with a trio featuring Jasper Somsen on bass and drummer, E.J. Strickland, and will be performing music from the pianist's fourteenth album as leader, Give Us These Days, and as in one of the lines of the poem from which the album takes its title, the pianist has every right as to be so bold as to stake her claim as to having one of the premier trios anywhere in the world.
Released on Challenge Records in May of last year, Give Us These Days exhibits all of Arriale's trademarks featuring mainly her own compositions, and a couple of covers of pops songs, Joni Mitchell's 'Woodstock' and Lennon and McCartney's 'Let It Be' that she has adapted perfectly to suit her playing and that of the trio without losing touch of the originals. The title track is an exquisite ballad, that tugs at the heart strings, and repeats this trick with an outstanding duet reading of Tom Wait's 'Take It With Me' with vocalist, Kate McGarry that just oozes emotion.
On the uptempo numbers such as 'Over And Out', the pianist plays with a relentless drive that propels the music along yet always with a sense of purpose and control that never loses sight of her natural melodic instinct. Throughout an impressive and perfectly balanced set, these traits of lyricism, restraint and immensely powerful rhythmic sensibility (check out the spritely 'Slightly Off Centre as a prime example) that is truly captivating.
With the Pizza Express dates looming ever closer, I was fortunate to be able to catch a few words with Lynne, and talk to her about the album and tour.
One such musician is Lynne Arriale who for more than twenty five years has been delighting audiences around the globe with her immensely personal and lyrical piano playing, and London audiences get the opportunity to hear Lynne at the Pizza Express in Soho on 14th and 15th October with a trio featuring Jasper Somsen on bass and drummer, E.J. Strickland, and will be performing music from the pianist's fourteenth album as leader, Give Us These Days, and as in one of the lines of the poem from which the album takes its title, the pianist has every right as to be so bold as to stake her claim as to having one of the premier trios anywhere in the world.
Released on Challenge Records in May of last year, Give Us These Days exhibits all of Arriale's trademarks featuring mainly her own compositions, and a couple of covers of pops songs, Joni Mitchell's 'Woodstock' and Lennon and McCartney's 'Let It Be' that she has adapted perfectly to suit her playing and that of the trio without losing touch of the originals. The title track is an exquisite ballad, that tugs at the heart strings, and repeats this trick with an outstanding duet reading of Tom Wait's 'Take It With Me' with vocalist, Kate McGarry that just oozes emotion.
On the uptempo numbers such as 'Over And Out', the pianist plays with a relentless drive that propels the music along yet always with a sense of purpose and control that never loses sight of her natural melodic instinct. Throughout an impressive and perfectly balanced set, these traits of lyricism, restraint and immensely powerful rhythmic sensibility (check out the spritely 'Slightly Off Centre as a prime example) that is truly captivating.
With the Pizza Express dates looming ever closer, I was fortunate to be able to catch a few words with Lynne, and talk to her about the album and tour.
The material you will be performing on this tour, and at the Pizza Express, is taken from your most recent album, Give Us These Days. Can you tell us about the album?
This album was inspired by a poem by the great poet, Jim Schley, who was also a high school classmate of mine. He wrote a beautiful poem entitled “Devotional”, where he described all the memories he had of his young daughter growing up. Towards the end of the poem, he made reference to his wife and daughter, and said
“Let each of us three live to be old,”
and later on in the poem....
“If I might be so bold, if I may
Give Us These Days”
I had already begun work on the music for the album with the theme of the preciousness of life, and when I read Jim’s poem, I was struck by the beauty of his words. I asked him if I could use this line as a title for a tune and for the CD, and he said that the line was actually from the Bible, to which I replied that “I would ask it it was OK”, but that he was fine if I used the title. I wanted this piece to reflect the many emotions of life experience and to allow the listener to breathe when they are hearing the tune. I intentionally created moments where I let sound resonate and fade, allowing space for people to absorb the sound and feel whatever they would feel at that moment.
The album features no less than six original compositions. Is writing for the trio something that comes easily, and a natural extension of your playing?
Writing is very different for me than playing. When I’m writing, I’m working very slowly, phrase by phrase, trying different possibilities and constantly evaluating each idea and how it works to tell a story in the composition. I also hope to have a narrative quality in my playing, but that is in real time, without stopping, so it’s a different process. When I am playing, I have to make split second decisions, and in composing, I have the time to explore many options and evaluate which is the best.
This album was inspired by a poem by the great poet, Jim Schley, who was also a high school classmate of mine. He wrote a beautiful poem entitled “Devotional”, where he described all the memories he had of his young daughter growing up. Towards the end of the poem, he made reference to his wife and daughter, and said
“Let each of us three live to be old,”
and later on in the poem....
“If I might be so bold, if I may
Give Us These Days”
I had already begun work on the music for the album with the theme of the preciousness of life, and when I read Jim’s poem, I was struck by the beauty of his words. I asked him if I could use this line as a title for a tune and for the CD, and he said that the line was actually from the Bible, to which I replied that “I would ask it it was OK”, but that he was fine if I used the title. I wanted this piece to reflect the many emotions of life experience and to allow the listener to breathe when they are hearing the tune. I intentionally created moments where I let sound resonate and fade, allowing space for people to absorb the sound and feel whatever they would feel at that moment.
The album features no less than six original compositions. Is writing for the trio something that comes easily, and a natural extension of your playing?
Writing is very different for me than playing. When I’m writing, I’m working very slowly, phrase by phrase, trying different possibilities and constantly evaluating each idea and how it works to tell a story in the composition. I also hope to have a narrative quality in my playing, but that is in real time, without stopping, so it’s a different process. When I am playing, I have to make split second decisions, and in composing, I have the time to explore many options and evaluate which is the best.
The songs of John Lennon and Paul McCartney have always proved to be popular among jazz musicians. Why do think this is so, and what influenced you to feature 'Let It Be' on the album?
I chose “Let it Be” because of the message of the song. We all go through many challenges and struggles as part of life, and sometimes, we need to just take a breath and let things be as they are. The song is also a statement of faith, that somehow, “there will be an answer.” Sometimes, it’s hard to just let go and be present with whatever is going to happen.
The concluding track on Give Us These Days is an absolutely stunning duet with vocalist, Kate McGarry, 'Take It With Me'. What's the story behind this piece, and will you be featuring it as an arrangement for the trio during the tour?
I’ve wanted to record this tune for many years. I first heard it when I was driving; and I literally pulled over to the side of the road. I had never heard Tom Waits before, and this powerful and poignant tune was my introduction to his work. He and his wife, Kathleen Brennan, wrote this tune with the idea of turning upside down the idea that “you can’t take it with you”-- to become, “yes, you can take all the memories and experiences of your life with you when you go.” Kate did such a beautiful performance of this song and really brought out the strength and fragility of the lyrics.
I also understand that just a few days before you appear at the Pizza Express you will be recording a new album with the trio.
We will be recording our new CD, Chimes of Freedom in Belgium before coming to play at Pizza Express. We will mostly be performing material from Give Us These Days, but perhaps we’ll play some songs from Chimes of Freedom also. The new CD will be released in March, 2020.
I chose “Let it Be” because of the message of the song. We all go through many challenges and struggles as part of life, and sometimes, we need to just take a breath and let things be as they are. The song is also a statement of faith, that somehow, “there will be an answer.” Sometimes, it’s hard to just let go and be present with whatever is going to happen.
The concluding track on Give Us These Days is an absolutely stunning duet with vocalist, Kate McGarry, 'Take It With Me'. What's the story behind this piece, and will you be featuring it as an arrangement for the trio during the tour?
I’ve wanted to record this tune for many years. I first heard it when I was driving; and I literally pulled over to the side of the road. I had never heard Tom Waits before, and this powerful and poignant tune was my introduction to his work. He and his wife, Kathleen Brennan, wrote this tune with the idea of turning upside down the idea that “you can’t take it with you”-- to become, “yes, you can take all the memories and experiences of your life with you when you go.” Kate did such a beautiful performance of this song and really brought out the strength and fragility of the lyrics.
I also understand that just a few days before you appear at the Pizza Express you will be recording a new album with the trio.
We will be recording our new CD, Chimes of Freedom in Belgium before coming to play at Pizza Express. We will mostly be performing material from Give Us These Days, but perhaps we’ll play some songs from Chimes of Freedom also. The new CD will be released in March, 2020.
