Gustavsen; Tord, with Simin Tander and Jarle Vespestad: What Was Said

The pairing of pianist Tord Gustavsen and drummer Jarle Vespestad is a long standing one, the duo now sparking off each other so naturally that they almost sound as one. This time the twosome add to their number with German-Afghan vocalist Simin Tander and if the established names in the ECM catalogue are the draw, the debutant is the star.

Taking Norwegian traditional poetry and translating it into the Pashto language and also working the lyrics of Persian poet Rumi into English (while a selection from Kenneth Rexroth remains in its original English) may seem remarkably contrived. However the gentle caress of sombreness that sets the base for some of the most captivating vocals you'll find anywhere, casts those doubts aside. The intricate, dark piano skills of Gustavsen proving the perfect setting for the atmosphere Tander creates. Place yourself in stillness and soak it all in and "A Castle On Heaven", "Imagine The Frog Disappearing" and "What Was Said To Rose - O Sacred Head" prove almost overwhelming; their beauty and fragility palpable as you get lost in the sounds created.

Having recently added (much to his own surprise) electronics, by way of a Moog system and bass synthesizer, to his armoury, Gustavsen brings a broad spectrum of moods and atmospheres to the table, while the percussive work of Vespestad really is masterful; the drummer equally adept at adding a pulse of snare to the wordless "The Way You Play My Heart", pulling off more muscular excursions on "Rull", or sitting in the background punctuating the heady mood with subtle precision. However, no matter how impressive the musical duo undoubtedly are, it's Tander who continually brings you back for more, her melodic, jagged, lyrical, smooth eclecticism keeping you on the edge of your seat.

As you may expect, the only downside here is that What Was Said simply can't be an album to dip in and out of, or to wear as a backdrop to your day. Instead, this is an album that needs you to play your part by giving yourself and hour or so to devote to it every time you put it on. If you can't meet that side of the bargain, confusion will reign. However for those more dedicated, the rewards are there ready to found.

Track Listing
1. YOUR GRIEF
2. I SEE YOU
3. IMAGINE THE FOG DISAPPEARING
4. A CASTLE IN HEAVEN
5. JOURNEY OF LIFE
6. I REFUSE
7. WHAT WAS SAID TO THE ROSE - O SACRED HEAD
8. THE WAY YOU PLAY MY HEART
9. RULL
10. THE SOURCE OF NOW
11. SWEET MELTING (DUO)
12.LONGING TO PRAISE THEE
13. SWEET MELTING AFTERGLOW

And catch the trio live later in the year...

Jun 16 SFJAZZ Center San Francisco, CA
Jun 17 The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church Minneapolis, MN
Jun 20 FringeArts Philadelphia, PA
Jun 29 Christ Church Cathedral Vancouver, Canada
Jul 01 Lutheran Church of the Reformation Rochester, NY
Jul 03 Monument-National Montreal, Canada
Jul 31 Vår Frue Kirke Trondheim Trondheim, Norway
Sep 28 Kammgarn Kaiserslautern, Germany
Nov 12 Milton Court London, United Kingdom
Ticket details here.

Added: May 21st 2016
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: What Was Said at ECM Records
Hits: 1608
Language: english

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