Noertker’s Moxie: Walking on Blue Eggshells in Billville

I recently came across Noertker’s Moxie, led by Bill Noertker, and his Tricycle album triptych, each one representing the more non-commercial side of jazz. Noertker is back, this time with the Billville trilogy, beginning with Walking on Blue Eggshells in Billville, released in 2021. The disc contains nine previously unreleased live recordings spread over twenty odd years. This is finely crafted, modern chamber jazz, esoteric in approach and maintaining a high degree of musicianship. The first track “L’Alt Empordà exhibits wonderful tenor and alto saxophones winding around subtle drums and bass. At times the sax has Middle Eastern highlights and as the groove eases off, Noertker allows the sax soloists to take the spotlight. “Threadbare Carpet� has flute weaving in and out and around with the melody quite groovy, some ‘60s noir at play, and the bass is full and clear with a great tone. The playful “Saccade� is filled with wild alto sax, vivid piano and great bass work, maintaining a quickened pace before settling into a slower, sultry groove. Bass clarinet and flute highlight the fast paced “Hi Jinx�, in contrast to the deliberately slow “Desert Pass� as flute and piano create an avant-jazz soundscape.

Walking on Blue Eggshells in Billville is a fine slice of esoteric jazz that might take a while to fully digest but will be well worth the effort. An Edgetone Records release.

Track Listing:
1. L’Alt Empordà
2. Threadbare Carpet
3. Saccade
4. Hi Jinx
5. Twond
6. Desert Pass
7. Feathers in a Cap
8. Walking on Blue Eggshells
9. Sardana (Circle of Feet)

Added: June 6th 2022
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 447
Language: english

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