From Amazon.com
BORING!! 90 Minutes of Lifeless, Meandering Folk Space Music
Album Rating: (1 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: A Tedious, Tiresome and Disappointing Continuation of Frisell's Exploration of American Traditional / Public Radio / Folk / Sleep Music.
Enough Already Bill!! How About Some Interesting Music For a Change, Like you Made 10-20 Years Ago.
Bill Frisell was (note the past tense WAS) the most innovative jazz guitarist of the 1980's-90's.
He created his own trademark sound: a twangy, bending, echoey wash of color, making his own distinct wall of sound
on every recording of his and every recording that he guested on.
I was such a huge fan of Bill that I would seek out and purchase every album that he appeared on to hear his performance.
There were dozens of albums which he contributed to, putting his signature wall of sound on.
Seek out the albums "Power Tools," or Marc Johnson's "Bass Deisres" (1987) or the 1991 Live album
with Kermit Driscoll and Joey Baron to hear Frisell in a powerhouse performance.
The 1996 piece "Faith In You," from Marc Johnson's "The Sound of Summer Running" has a duo
between Frisell and Pat Metheny which is one of the most beautiful compositions I've ever heard.
Then around 1998 he decided he was going to move away from that eclectic fusion of sound.
His 1998 album "Gone Like a Train" opens with an exlposive fusion composition, then turns into a mush of uninspired improv.
That was the point he left the exciting guitar sounds and changed his career into experimental ad-lib American Folk Soundscapes.
Those of us like myself who purchased his next album "Good Dog Happy Man" were disappointed beyond belief
when the entire album was an uninspired, lifeless recording of Meditational Sleep Music, from beginning to end.
Leaving us to ponder the title: "GOOD performers, but a DOG album."
Or, perhaps his dog produced the album, hence the idea "GOOD DOG! You recorded my album, so I"m a HAPPY MAN."
Most of us fans hoped that this was just a temporary venture for him. Instead, for 10 years now he increased his popularity
on National Public Radio and has released one album after another, sometimes 2 albums a year of this meandering slop.
The bottom line is folks, with "History Mystery," the MYSTERY is: What happened to this once admirable musical prodigy?
This release is 2 discs, 90 minutes of what I've described above. Incorporating some fine musicians for sure,
but frankly, wasting their time just sitting around playing a few notes throughout this dullness.
Despite the efforts that went into it, and the fact that this album was part of an NPR special & part of his concert tour,
Frisell's music in the last 10 years is so boring and dull that even those suffering sleep apnea and insomnia would need
something with more movement to help them relax.
Finally, a use for hard drugs!
Album Rating: (1 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: I guess I didn't smoke enough pot when I was younger because this sounds like someone forgot to shut off the recorder while noodling.
History Mystery
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: This was a gift and it arrived early for the Christmas season. My friend is really enjoying it.
Frisell Montage
Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: Overview:
In History, Mystery Bill Frisell combines elements of the many different styles and genres he has dabbled with over the years into one cohesive story telling album. You can hear elements of Appalachia (ala The Willies), string orchestrations (ala Unspeakable), ambient soundscapes (ala Floratone), great horn lines (Blues Dream), African jazz (ala the Intercontinentals) and quirky odd Friselldoms (ala The Rambler). Basically Bill has gone into his bag of tricks and combined the many magical things he can do into one dreamy CD. At first listen it's a bit much to take in and for fans who are not wild about violins, the string orchestrations might seem a bit too far from jazz. However, after several listens the clever crafting of the songs and the great interactions between the musicians reveal themselves. The overall mood of the album is somber, tragic, intense and dramatic.
Performers: Bill Frisell (electric & acoustic guitars & electronics), Ron Miles Cornet, Greg Tardy (tenor sax, clarinet), Jenny Scheinman (violin), Eyvind Kang (viola), Hank Roberts (cello), Tony Scherr (bass), Kenny Wolleson (drums)
Song Highlights:
Probability Cloud - This song reminds me a lot of Miles Davis' performance of Manuel de Falla's "Will O Wisp" from Sketches from Spain. It has a bit of Spanish tango feel to it. The combined orchestration of strings and horns in the main melody line is beautifully done.
Struggle - Just a killer bass line melody with backing strings. This is perhaps the catchiest song on the CD. Frisell's harmonics over the time are perfectly placed to. Not too much, just a touch here, a note there, plenty of space to let it breath.
Baba Drame - Better than the original Frisell version from Intercontinentals. It sounds like the song was meant for a string section.
Struggle Part 2 - Completely different version of Struggle. Same song, different mood. This version is great because Frisell really lets loose and rocks out a killer guitar solo.
Waltz for Baltimore - Featrues lengthy passionate sax solo by Greg Tardy. Greg really gets all his frustrations out in this brilliant solo.
This might be remembered as Frisell's greatest album. I'm not ready to say it's my favorite, but its really growing on me, and I feel there's a lot of subtle things left for me to discover here.
Not much to say
Album Rating: (4 of 5 stars)
Review Comments: I have been listening to Bill for years now and he has always had an impact on my artistic vision. Being a musician myself, I have enjoyed a rich appreciation for Frisell's music, both inspiring and listenable. It isn't very often that an artist is able to revamp a style, yet here he has done it once again. Combining orchestral instruments in a jazz context is nearly impossible without sounding forced. As you know if you enjoy Bill's music, he rarely if ever forces anything and this record is perfect! Every time I hear a new recording I think it's my favorite, but "History" is special in that the song order creates a unique flow lost in the digital world. Remember, "Gone, Just Like a Train", it's that good... Enjoy!
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