Tord Gustavsen Trio - The Ground
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Free Music Notes for The Ground
Free Music Review: Music that draws you in
Hit: 5 Stars
Pianist Tord Gustavsen and his partners Harald Johnsen (bass) and Jarle Vespestad (drums) have staked out their own distinctive piece of ground in a land that straddles the borders between jazz, church music and conservatoire music. The Ground explores in more depth the territory that was first plotted out in the trio's first release, "Changing Places".
The Ground is a gorgeous set of pieces, some more churchy (The Ground), some more funky (Curtains Aside) and some more lyrical (Tears Transforming) but all played with warmth and faithful attention to the quality of touch as well as the quality of sound. And the loving attention the guys pay to what they're playing induces the same response in their audience. At a recent concert, I have never felt an audience pay such rapt attention. As my piano teacher (a performing harpsichordist) remarked, it's music that really draws you in.
All of the pieces have a clear melody, theme or riff that you can hum after a couple of listens. All are reflective, none is busy or challenging in a "pushing the boundaries" kind of way. A casual listener might even praise (or condemn) the whole thing as "easy listening", because it's certainly not hard. Yet it all challenges the listener to forget labels, comparisons and other mental fidgets, and to just open up and listen to the sounds unfold. There's a depth of beauty in here that I've found in few other places.
An easy comparison would be Keith Jarrett - easy but misleading. Tord Gustavsen is much closer in spirit to the majestic Abdullah Ibrahim.
Free Music Review: Gorgeous Music - You Must see him Live
Hit: 5 Stars
I don't remember how I stumbled upon him. Maybe it was because he was playing at the SF Jazz festival and I wanted to hear what he sounded like. I bought this cd and have been listening to it over and over. I saw the trio live yesterday and they are amazing. The sound is delicate and intricate and moving all at the same time. Music can take you places and bring out emotions like nothing else in life. If you want that in your music this cd will capture that for you. I am a big fan of Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett. Although I'm not ready to say he's at that level I recommend you see this Trio before they become famous and play in big halls. Chamber Jazz at this level is a rare thing today. The first cut is so sweet it can make you cry. Enjoy - You will not regret buying this cd.Free Music Review: The Ground
Hit: 4 Stars
Tord Gustavsen is world class, listen to this new maestro as his piano sings.Free Music Review: Musical Dreamscape
Hit: 5 Stars
Several years ago I bought this CD on the strength of a strong recommendation in one of the music magazines I read. My initial reaction on the first couple of times through it on my office stereo was that it was OK, but maybe a little too mellow for frequent consumption. So I put it on the shelf and quite forgot about it until the other night when I wanted to hear some mellow jazz as I worked at home. So I dug this out along with a few other "forgotten" jazz CDs and let it spin. Well, what a transformation!
Maybe it is the much better quality of my home stereo or maybe I'd been distracted when I first listened at the office, but this time around The Ground struck me quite differently. Tord Gustavsen and his trio painted such a vivid musical dreamscape that I put my work aside and lay on the couch to listen more intently.
I agree with the reviewer from Canada who hears all kinds of stylistic reference points in this CD, particularly the odd Spanish tinge. I feel a Spanish classical touch more than a few times. Not only that, there were many instances where the music harked back to the heyday of the old CTI jazz label of 35-40 years ago.
If asked to name a favorite cut, I would be at a loss to choose. I like the whole CD from start to finish so ordering the trio's other CD has become imperative. The Ground is recommended to anyone who enjoys piano and the feeling of stress just being washed away in gentle yet transformative cascades of sound. Give it an hour of undivided attention and you'll hear what I mean.
Free Music Review: Distilled Essence...
Hit: 5 Stars
Briefly, I would by way of analogy suggest that the Tord Gustavsen Trio's first album "Changing Places" is much like a fine wine -- balanced, complex, and with nice depth. In their lastest endeavor I would say that "The Ground" is more like a fine cognac - refined down to its essence, with a crystalline clarity of purpose.
I would compare Mr. Gustavsen's music to that of a haiku master or a calligrapher capable of capturing a tableau in a few brushstrokes. In some ways it reminds me of the music of Gurdjieff/ deHartman in its ability to express so much through so little.