Tord Gustavsen Trio - The Ground
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Free Music Notes for The Ground
Free Music Review: Notes between the space
Hit: 5 Stars
This trio has a good thing going. They appeal those of us who need a respite from the frenzy and they deliver in spades.Bill Evans you have some contemporariesFree Music Review: Lives up to all expectations
Hit: 5 Stars
I first heard about this trio via the song "Being There", which was included in a sampler CD that came with a popular jazz magazine. I immediately knew I had to have the album the song came from.
As I expected, coming off the excellent ECM label, the album is brilliant. It's just my kind of thing, especially the piano playing - dreamy, spacey, uncluttered, beautiful. The 12 songs are all originals, written by Tord Gustavsen and that's something special in itself. I think the trio play very well together. I obviously knew nothing of their earlier work but I will be checking it out now. A great buy.
Free Music Review: A Sparkling Example of Taste!
Hit: 4 Stars
I hardly have to mention (even though I will) that jazz is a beautiful art. It is a music that, when done right, "speaks to the gut" in ways that not many other musics can. Yet, much like trends in classical music, so much of the current jazz output is designed to appeal almost exclusively to the intellectual side of the coin; interesting progressions and chord scales, but not much else.
This is why I like the Tord Gustavsen Trio, and this CD, so much. Here, Gustavsen and company have really created music that goes straight for the gut. The music is beautifully understated; space between notes becomes as important as notes themselves. Tempos are slow and steady, but never quite languishing. And the compositions manage to combine the feel of romantic-era composers of Eastern Europe (Smetana, Dvorak) with a laid-back jazz sensibility.
The only complaint I have about the disc is that the barrage of slow, minor key tunes - no matter how beautiful each one is - could really have benefitted from some variation. It took me a few good listens to the CD before really getting used to it, and even then, I still tend not to listen to the whole disc in one sitting (preferring a few songs at a time).
Other than that, Gustavsen and company have produced a wonderful disc here. They are examples of taste - from the very unforgettable melodies they create to the melodicism with which thes solos are handled, "The Ground" sparkles.
Free Music Review: What a wonderful recording!
Hit: 5 Stars
I was disappointed in Gustavsen's previous CD, Changing Places, maybe because it had been hyped a lot prior to my listening to it. When I go back and listen to it after The Ground, however, I still find it falls signficantly short. The Ground, for me, is a significant step forward for this trio. It sounds more like jazz, and instead of getting bored with the compositions or the playing, I can listen to it over and over, hearing new things each time. In fact, one way I "judge" a recording is how well it stands the test of time, i.e. some recordings I love right away, but tire of quickly; some never do it for me; some I enjoy a lot right away and continue to enjoy; and some, like this one, I'm not quite sure of initially, but after a few listens I find that the enjoyment increases with each subsequent listen.
This is a relatively quiet record, to be sure. But it is "busier" and more varied than Changing Places, by far. And while the overall tone is somewhat melancholic, I find there are many moments of quiet and encouraging beauty. In fact, the song titles Transforming Tears and Edges of Happiness are indicative of what, for me, is one of the entire album's many strengths. Highly recommended, especially to those who have the "wherewithal" or inclination to allow or invite music to seep in under their "emotional skin".
Free Music Review: kneeling down beyond the edges of happiness
Hit: 5 Stars
This cd is called 'The Ground' because The Tord Gustavsen Trio wants to warn you that during the listening you might find your self with out ground to stand on. This music just makes you forget reality and it has the tendency to take you on a quest in the music and in your self. Most likely you will feel two angelwings growing on your back. And they will bring you to that painful but beautiful place. And do not open your eyes! You might never find your way back to that place! Better not push the repeatbutton!
More down to the ground I can only write that this trio has done it again. They made an album in their unique fashion. Silence is the keyword. Gustavsen is excelling... again! Vespestad is drumming beautifully. Johnsen seems not to be able to keep up. His bass playing is a bit to dull for my taste. I know Johnsen holds back and he most know it too. Because sometimes he does rise beyound his average performing and then the hole trio powers up(track 4)! But.... do we want this trio to power up? Yeah, we do! But not beyond that second gear!
Overall this album is a beautiful piece of work. Never dull, because it is so intens. I don't know who can tip this. Quess I'll have to wait for the next album. And who knows... we might get more bass like that beautiful stuff of track 8!
FJB/O!-music 2006