In 2017, Bill Frisell returns to ECM as a leader after a thirty year layoff and with Thomas Morgan releases the cozy, eclectic Small Town, a live setting that captured up close the empathy between guitarist and acoustic bassist. In 2019, Epistrophy is a straight continuation of their chemistry, which was actually captured live at the fabled Village Vanguard during the same string of March, 2016 shows from which Small Town was rendered.
Just about all they are playing here are jazz standards or entries from the Great American Songbook but these songs don’t necessarily bop or swing in their hands; they are treated with a down home, folk mindset. Perhaps it’s more accurate to say that the duo play with the intent to extract every honeyed drop from these rich melodies, a hallmark of both artists.
That doesn’t mean there’s no abstraction going on: Frisell teases out the theme of “Epistrophy” by intentionally dropping notes here and there, slowly densifying his attack until the full harmony comes into clear focus. Morgan meantime keeps a firm steady pulse, providing a ladder for Frisell to climb up and down. The guitarist plays hide-and-seek for other Thelonious Monk cover “Pannonica” as well, before settling in cozily with its strain.
“All In Fun” is drawn out with such relaxed ease, it could have well been performed on a patio in Tennessee on a breezy spring day. Morgan’s spotlight reveals him to be just as much of a lyrical musician as his older partner. Frisell’s own lyricism mesmerizes on songs such as “In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning” and “Red River Valley,” his sensitivity on guitar matching the emotion that can be levied by well-sung human voice.
Frisell carries out “Lush Life” as if he’s all alone with little regard for pacing it evenly, which boosts its intimacy. Yet, Morgan manages to stick close, anticipating the spots where Frisell places his notes. “Wildwood Flower” and “Save The Last Dance For Me’ is combined into a medley marked by the rich, woody tone of Morgan’s double bass.
“Mumbo Jumbo” might be a song less familiar to the audience but not at all for the two performers: their common mentor drumming legend Paul Motian composed this. It’s actually a tune of a lot of beauty but also complexity and both share a depth of understanding of this song that without it wouldn’t have been able to cover properly. But if anything the two venture further ‘outside’ than Motian did with it, as Frisell uses this one occasion to brandish a few of his pedal-driven tricks.
Epistrophy is now available courtesy of ECM Records.
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