TORD GUSTAVSEN w/ SIMIN TANDER & JARL VESPESTAD - What Was Said
ECM 475 8697
Tord Gustavsen (piano, electronics, synth bass); Simin Tander (voice); Jarle Vespestad (drums)
Recorded April 2015
After stepping away from his established trio format for the acclaimed albums that saw the addition of saxophonist Tore Brunborg for The Well and Extended Circle, this latest release from the pianist sees him returning to the trio once again, but not his regular (and familiar) piano, bass and drums line-up, but an all new trio presented here on this beguiling and pensive set, What was said.
Retaining the services of long term drummer, Jarl Vespestad, Gustavsen jettisons the use of double bass and introduces the voice of Simin Tander in a set exploring the tradition of Norwegian church music in a fresh and contemporary manner. The pianist further expands the tonal palette available by playing synth bass and introducing the use of electronics to his his distinctive piano stylings.
The resulting music is unmistakably Gustavsen's and has his personal stamp all over it. Vespestad is all over this music as one would expect, and totally in tune with the pianist's vision and this relationship immediately gives the music a cohesiveness to explore new musical territory. That Simin Tander has intuitively grasped this music so quickly does her much credit, and brings to proceedings an album and unit that sounds that they have been working this way for some considerable time.
Working with an Afghan poet, Tander and Gustavsen worked on a selection of Norwegian hymns that were then translated into Pashto shaping them through compositions and improvisations. With Tander singing in Pashto, English and invented languages of her own the range of material covered is remarkably diverse, from the revelatory lyrics of Jalal al-Din Rumi (1207-1273), translated into English by Coleman Barks on the opening 'Your Grief', 'The Source of Now' and 'What Was Said To The Rose' that features some tumultuous piano from Tord.
For the most part, the music is quiet and reflective and Gustavsen's use of electronics is used in a most subtle and delicate manner as to be enhancing rather than a distraction, almost to the point that unless your are listening carefully you can miss the gentle electronic colourations completely. Needless to say beautifully delicate and melodic music shapes this release, and while there will be some that will miss the sound of Mats Eilertsen's double bass filling out the lower register, this new trio is a conscious move by Gustavsen away from that traditional line-up to explore new nuances within his music, and this is achieved in a most satisfying manner.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
ECM 475 8697
Tord Gustavsen (piano, electronics, synth bass); Simin Tander (voice); Jarle Vespestad (drums)
Recorded April 2015
After stepping away from his established trio format for the acclaimed albums that saw the addition of saxophonist Tore Brunborg for The Well and Extended Circle, this latest release from the pianist sees him returning to the trio once again, but not his regular (and familiar) piano, bass and drums line-up, but an all new trio presented here on this beguiling and pensive set, What was said.
Retaining the services of long term drummer, Jarl Vespestad, Gustavsen jettisons the use of double bass and introduces the voice of Simin Tander in a set exploring the tradition of Norwegian church music in a fresh and contemporary manner. The pianist further expands the tonal palette available by playing synth bass and introducing the use of electronics to his his distinctive piano stylings.
The resulting music is unmistakably Gustavsen's and has his personal stamp all over it. Vespestad is all over this music as one would expect, and totally in tune with the pianist's vision and this relationship immediately gives the music a cohesiveness to explore new musical territory. That Simin Tander has intuitively grasped this music so quickly does her much credit, and brings to proceedings an album and unit that sounds that they have been working this way for some considerable time.
Working with an Afghan poet, Tander and Gustavsen worked on a selection of Norwegian hymns that were then translated into Pashto shaping them through compositions and improvisations. With Tander singing in Pashto, English and invented languages of her own the range of material covered is remarkably diverse, from the revelatory lyrics of Jalal al-Din Rumi (1207-1273), translated into English by Coleman Barks on the opening 'Your Grief', 'The Source of Now' and 'What Was Said To The Rose' that features some tumultuous piano from Tord.
For the most part, the music is quiet and reflective and Gustavsen's use of electronics is used in a most subtle and delicate manner as to be enhancing rather than a distraction, almost to the point that unless your are listening carefully you can miss the gentle electronic colourations completely. Needless to say beautifully delicate and melodic music shapes this release, and while there will be some that will miss the sound of Mats Eilertsen's double bass filling out the lower register, this new trio is a conscious move by Gustavsen away from that traditional line-up to explore new nuances within his music, and this is achieved in a most satisfying manner.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
