WOLFGANG MUTHSPIEL/LARRY GRENADIER/BRIAN
BLADE – Driftwood
ECM 375 6400
Wolfgang Muthspiel (guitar); Larry Grenadier (double bass); Brian Blade (drums)
Recorded May 2013
This is the Austrian guitarist’s debut album as a leader for ECM, he has previously appeared on the Travel Guide set recorded with a collective trio featuring Ralph Towner and Slava Grigoryan, and to aid and abet him on this new venture he has employed the stellar talents of Larry Grenadier and Brian Blade.
All three are familiar with each other’s work and Muthspiel has worked with both bassist and drummer separately for a number of years, but this is the first that they have worked together as a trio. Having said that, the immediate rapport and empathy between the participants is apparent from the off in a set that mixes strong melodies with a free floating and spacious aesthetic that still permits the rhythmic elements of the music to dig in and make itself felt.
Muthspiel divides his time between electric and acoustic guitar, without the net effect being that of a game of two halves, and has cleverly picked the ideal instrument to enhance the melodic and textural contours of each of the compositions. Over the course of this absorbing set, the trio mull over some contemplative pieces that have an open floating feel and this is heard to marvellous effect on ‘Joseph’, Muthspiel’s lovingly crafted dedication to fellow Austrian Joe Zawinul. The strong bass line laid down by Grenadier is in startling contrast to the electronic wash of sound from guitar and the quiet accompaniment from drummer, Blade. This free floating mood is again captured on the title track, this time with Muthspiel on acoustic guitar, and is a totally improvised piece performed at the suggestion of producer Manfred Eicher during the session. Such is the musicianship at hand it is difficult to believe that this not also a prepared composition so naturally does it sit with the other titles on the disc.
Another dedication, this time for the late Michael Brecker is a bossa that features Larry Grenadier with his beautiful arco playing opening and closing the piece, whilst in between he provides a solid platform for the guitarist and drummer to lay down some serious duologue in what is the closest we come to powerhouse performance from the three. Grenadier’s arco playing is again utilised on the wonderful (and again more uptempo) ‘Highline’, whilst ‘Uptown’ performed on acoustic guitar has a catchy theme and rhythmic hook that is woven into a fine improvisation from the guitarist.
Muthspiel has indicated that he has plans to keep the trio together as working unit, and a follow up to this set will I am sure be eagerly anticipated.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
ECM 375 6400
Wolfgang Muthspiel (guitar); Larry Grenadier (double bass); Brian Blade (drums)
Recorded May 2013
This is the Austrian guitarist’s debut album as a leader for ECM, he has previously appeared on the Travel Guide set recorded with a collective trio featuring Ralph Towner and Slava Grigoryan, and to aid and abet him on this new venture he has employed the stellar talents of Larry Grenadier and Brian Blade.
All three are familiar with each other’s work and Muthspiel has worked with both bassist and drummer separately for a number of years, but this is the first that they have worked together as a trio. Having said that, the immediate rapport and empathy between the participants is apparent from the off in a set that mixes strong melodies with a free floating and spacious aesthetic that still permits the rhythmic elements of the music to dig in and make itself felt.
Muthspiel divides his time between electric and acoustic guitar, without the net effect being that of a game of two halves, and has cleverly picked the ideal instrument to enhance the melodic and textural contours of each of the compositions. Over the course of this absorbing set, the trio mull over some contemplative pieces that have an open floating feel and this is heard to marvellous effect on ‘Joseph’, Muthspiel’s lovingly crafted dedication to fellow Austrian Joe Zawinul. The strong bass line laid down by Grenadier is in startling contrast to the electronic wash of sound from guitar and the quiet accompaniment from drummer, Blade. This free floating mood is again captured on the title track, this time with Muthspiel on acoustic guitar, and is a totally improvised piece performed at the suggestion of producer Manfred Eicher during the session. Such is the musicianship at hand it is difficult to believe that this not also a prepared composition so naturally does it sit with the other titles on the disc.
Another dedication, this time for the late Michael Brecker is a bossa that features Larry Grenadier with his beautiful arco playing opening and closing the piece, whilst in between he provides a solid platform for the guitarist and drummer to lay down some serious duologue in what is the closest we come to powerhouse performance from the three. Grenadier’s arco playing is again utilised on the wonderful (and again more uptempo) ‘Highline’, whilst ‘Uptown’ performed on acoustic guitar has a catchy theme and rhythmic hook that is woven into a fine improvisation from the guitarist.
Muthspiel has indicated that he has plans to keep the trio together as working unit, and a follow up to this set will I am sure be eagerly anticipated.
Reviewed by Nick Lea