Customer Reviews

Badlands

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

You won't run across a CD of piano-bass-drums music that is more appealing than this one. The interplay between Alan Pasqua, drummer Peter Erskine and bassist Dave Carpenter is stunning on the 10 tracks. Overall, a calm atmosphere prevails, though there are various rhythmic styles throughout. If you like the Keith Jarrett "Standards" trio but are a little weary of the over-echoed ECM sound and the caterwhauling vocals of Mr. Jarrett, you'll find this music really refreshing. The music is beautifully recorded with a perfect balance of all instruments. It is a "co-operative" trio where the piano does not necessarily dominate. Both Pasqua and Carpenter are very lyrical and the sensitive drums of Erskine are just right, a revelation of group playing. I bought this after hearing the trio on the "Music of Eric van Essen" series (Cryptogramophone), and was delighted with the quality of this independently-produced album.

The opening cut on this disc is called "Surrender" & from the opening chords that's exactly what you should do.
The melodies are infectious & Pasqua's chord choices & relaxed style allow you to settle into each cut's groove quickly & easily. Furthermore, in Peter Erskine & Dave Carpenter, Pasqua has great rhythmic drive & support.
Absolutely no doubt about it, this is a stunning trio album wherein it's almost pointless to nominate standout tracks but the aforementioned "Surrender", with Erskine's deft brush strokes & Carpenter's funky bass lines, is a must-listen, "Daddy, what's God's last name" has a delightfully memorable, whimsical melody & "On the Lake" is one of the most beautiful original piano trio ballads you're ever likely to hear.
Seriously however, with nine of the ten tracks being originals, EVERY track's a big winner on a THOROUGHLY recommended outing.

Dave was 2 yrs older than me in high school. He used to haul his younger brother and his friends (which included me) down to Cincinnati for Rock Concerts in his Chevy Van. He was always patient and kind to us even though we were usually very wasted and a little obnoxious. You just had to love the guy.

Greg Lee

i've actually had the oportunity to play bass right beside the man, and let me tell you, he never ceases to amaze me. with things so intricate, you are never bored, but excited as the group moves from one place to another.

Simply, a master work
Reviewer: Alex Irausquin from Caracas, Venezuela
This is a superb and delicious work played as masterful as delicately by a totally acoustic trio.
Besides the extraordinary perform of the trio, it is very notable the beautiful interpretation of the perfectly balanced and controlled pianist Allan Pasqua, whose compositions, besides, are really beautiful and stupendous too.

Simply, a master work of the contemporary jazz.

Simply, a master work

"Badlands" interpretation by the Erskine-Pasqua-Trio is a brilliant, delicate and superb master work.
Besides the trio work, the Pasqua piano performance and compositions are "a must".
But words leftovers when this album is heard. I can assure that, assuming the "risk" involved.
As a single reference, I would like to comment that the album I heard just before "Badlands" was "Directions In Music", by the Hancock-Brecker-Hargrove trio, plus John Patitucci on bass and Brian Blade on drums, where the piano performance by Hancock reminds me his performances with the Miles Davis Quintet in the middle of the 60's, I mean, "Smiles", "E.S.P.", "Nefertiti", etc. Well, "Badlands" work is a different approach to the music, but even magnificient and truly artistic.

This is a superb and delicious work played as masterful as delicately by a totally acoustic trio.

Besides the extraordinary perform of the trio, it is very notable the beautiful interpretation of the perfectly balanced and controlled pianist Allan Pasqua, whose compositions, besides, are really beautiful and stupendous too.

Simply, a master work of the contemporary jazz.