Weber, Eberhard: Encore

German composer and bassist Eberhard Weber has recently celebrated his 75th birthday. What better way to mark the year than by releasing a new CD titled Encore. Encore follows his last CD Resume, also reviewed on this site. Like that album, Weber has lifted his bass solos played live with the Jan Garbarek Group between 1990 and 2007, reimagining them by adding his own keyboard work and the flugelhorn of Ack van Rooyen.

The track titles refer to the European cities where the pieces were performed. Using a bit of studio wizardry, Weber has taken these pieces from a live setting and has created something quite imaginative. His playing is marvelous throughout, sometimes languid and other times more urgent. Although there is no piece that immediately stands out, the album should be listened to in one sitting, letting Weber's wonderful tones do their magic. Songs like "Cambridge", having an Arabic flair and the dreamy "Rankweil" with its other worldly flugelhorn sounding suitably cosmic, are wonderful examples of Weber's amazing talent. More fantastic improvising can be heard on "Langenhagen" where is nimble fretwork coloured with elegant keyboards and gentle strains of flugelhorn is another highlight.

Throughout Encore, Weber's elegant and stylized lines are on full display. Whether you are a bass player or not, Encore is an album that will surely satisfy the more discerning jazz listener. Released on ECM Records.

Track Listing:
1. Frankfurt
2. Konstanz
3. Cambridge
4. Rankweil
5. Langenhagen
6. Granada
7. Sevilla
8. London
9. Klagenfurt
10. Bradford
11. Edinburgh
12. Hannover
13. Pamplona

Added: March 11th 2015
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Label's Official Site
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Language: english

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